About
Like its parent company Fantasy, Galaxy was named after a science-fiction magazine. The label led three lives...twice as a jazz label and once as an R&B label. It was launched in 1951 as a vehicle for jazz recordings but ceased activity after a handful of 78-RPM releases by Cal Tjader, Vido Musso, and others. Galaxy was revived in 1961 to issue two 45s by a gospel group known as the Apollos but then switched its focus to rhythm and blues under the A&R direction of producer Cliff Goldsmith and arranger Ray Shanklin. Of the many R&B artists who appeared on Galaxy between 1962 and 1973 including Charles Brown, Bill Coday, Rodger Collins and Big Mama Thornton; blues singer Little Johnny Taylor was the most successful artist as his 1963 recording of "Part Time Love" rose to Number 1 on Billboard's R&B chart. Galaxy sprang to life again five years later in 1977 as a jazz label with a roster that included Tommy Flanagan, Red Garland, Johnny Griffin, Hank Jones, and Art Pepper; the label has been dormant outside reissues and Bill Evans archive material since the mid-Eighties. For copyright/company credits, see Galaxy Records (15). Label Code: LC 1428
