Artists out of the mainstream or currently en vogue

Some of the music that became favorites for me were much out of the mainstream/media/news.  One that has brough me constant pleasure over the years has been Julia Fordham.  There have been others that either fell out of favor or were beyond their prime that were better than "the public" response.  Chet Baker and Paul Desmond did work for CTI that were better than their earlier work.  Even though I am not much into country some of my friends feel Johnny Cash did some of his best work later in life.   Speaking of which Rosanne Cash may be one of the ultimate "country" singers that should not be thought of as country. 

I guess what I am searching for here is some of those less know artists that deserve more exposure than they may receive.   Thanks