The Madcap Laughs
Syd Barrett
1970 [Harvest]

After Barrett was tossed out of Pink Floyd in 1968 for his psychotic behaviour, he was soon convinced to record again. By 1970 there was enough material to release Madcap. Most of the songs come right from 1966-67 and with everyone expecting something disjointed the album was judged harshly. It is actually a very, very good record.

The End of the Game
Peter Green
1970 [Reprise]

Fleetwood Mac founder Peter Green has a reputation for being one of the (if not the) greatest white blues guitarists ever. Unfortunately, by the mid-70s he was mentally derailed. This 'out there' record still cops a lambasting from critics - an extended studio jam edited down to six tracks. Free-form and experimental… psych fans will love it.

Stormcock
Roy Harper
1971 [Harvest]

Eclectic English folkster Roy Harper's lengthy psych-tinged folk/blues workouts won him an underground following that has seen his music withstand the test of time. Stormcock features four tracks that combined clock in at over 41 minutes. The record may have become a cult curio were it not for the presence of Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page.

Space Is the Place
Sun Ra
1972 [Impulse!]

Not to be confused with the original soundtrack of the same name, this is a typically eccentric Sun Ra mix of spaced-out avant-garde exotica and straightahead swing. The Astro Intergalactic Infinity Arkestra (no kidding) is in fine form, with plenty of freeform jazz blowing and cosmic drumbeats to drive things along. A must for all Saturnians.

Apostrophe (')
Frank Zappa
1974 [DiscReet]

Eclectic musical genius and all-around fun guy, Frank Zappa rather ironically broke through commercially with 1973's Over-Nite Sensation. The follow-up features more of Zappa's wicked guitar playing decorating his at times perverse humour. Both albums have previously been released as a two-fer CD for those lucky enough to find it.

Penetration - An Aquarian Symphony
Ya Ho Wha 13
1974 [Higher Key]

The most notorious album by the musical arm of the Source Family religious cult led by Father Yod. Legend has it that participants would meditate in a garage in the wee hours of the AM and then record a completely improvised album. Up to 1000 LPs would then be pressed and sold through the cult's popular vegetarian restaurant in LA. Whoa!

Horses
Patti Smith
1975 [Arista]

The first album to come out of the burgeoning punk scene growing up around New York's CBGBs nightclub was theatrical performance poet Patti Smith's Horses in December 1975. With rock critic/guitarist Lenny Kaye in support all at once the mundane walls of 1970s mainstream music came tumbling down. The critics lapped it up.

Unknown Pleasures
Joy Division
1979 [Factory]

The dark and gloomy corners of guitarist Ian Curtis' mind are plainly evident in Joy Division's music. Starting life as Warsaw, they re-named themselves after the prostitution wing of a Nazi concentration camp in late-1977. The propulsive beat and occasional keyboards laid the groundwork for the post-punk that would follow.