In the mist of time, before rock music overtook everything else, was a music genre called Space Age Pop. AKA Bachelor Pad Music, or Lounge Music. The pre-rock stuff that was not pop or jazz.
I started listening to The Buddies Lounge podcast a long time ago and kept at it. I discovered a sub-genre called Exotica, and listened to albums such as Space Escapade. Space Escapade is worth a listen!! The vinyl version always for sale on Ebay and Amazon.
This is how composer Les Baxter thought a trip to Mars would sound like. Relaxing music, goes well with a good glass of red wine.
Another Space Age Pop maestro was Esquivel. No one does music like this - it's quirky, relaxing and creates a wonderful ambience.
Years later, I still listen to The Buddies Lounge. Find it here -
http://buddieslounge.podomatic.com/
Space Age Pop really sparked an interest for me - and I love jazz and classic rock. This music is rarely heard on the radio - but while audiences may not listen to it a lot, you can hear how Space Age Pop influenced musicians since then. And they did it all without computers or synthesizers.
Now for the bonus part of this article. Ever heard of Tiki Music? It's a part of the Space Age Pop "umbrella" of music. Hawaiian style - and with amazing sound effects, especially considering we're talking the 50's and 60's.
Try these -
https://www.buddieslounge.org/hi-fi-tiki
There are so many other treasures to be discovered in Space Age Pop!