Numerous further tours through London, the rest of the United Kingdom and abroad, kept the record label Vertigo interested in the band Cressida, even though their self-titled debut album had not been a success. Following a line-up change – John Culley replaced John Heyworth on guitar – and with the support of flautist Harold McNair as the sixth band member, they recorded their second album, Asylum, at London’s I.B.C. Studios in June/July 1970. The producer was once again Ossie Byrne. Exactly one year after their first LP, this second album, featuring a cover design by Keef, found its way into record shops in February 1971.

It relies somewhat more heavily on instrumental passages and tends towards more sophisticated arrangements, without ever sounding pompous. An outstanding track is Munich, with magnificent, subtle organ parts and a successful interplay between two lead guitars. Despite all the positive reviews and successful live performances, this album also sold extremely poorly. The termination of the record contract was followed by the band’s dissolution a few months later in September 1970. The highly rare original pressings on the British Swirl label, including those of the debut album, fetch high prices today.