Like its parent company, Fantasy, Galaxy was named after a science-fiction magazine. The subsidiary label led three lives. It was launched in 1951 as a vehicle for jazz, 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, then switched its focus to rhythm and blues under the 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; his 1963 recording of "Part Time Love" rose to Number 1 on Billboard's R&B chart.

Galaxy sprang to life again in 1977--as a jazz label with a roster that included Tommy Flanagan (left), Red Garland (top), Johnny Griffin, Hank Jones, and Art Pepper--but has been dormant since the mid-Eighties.