In 1963 Fantasy hired legendary LA production team Cliff Goldsmith and Ray Shanklin to furnish artists and masters for their R&B subsidiary. Over the next two years the team would produce a small but perfectly formed catalogue of classy, soulful blues of the highest quality, showcased for the first time on "Diggin’ Gold – A Galaxy Of West Coast Blues". Of the acts Goldsmith and Shanklin brought to Galaxy, by the far the most successful was Little Johnny Taylor, whose 1963 single ‘Part Time Love’ was a huge hit in that era and has since become a blues standard. Taylor’s prolific release schedule has been anthologised elsewhere, but with "Gold Diggin’" we are proud to present seven tracks by this exemplary blues stylist that are totally new to CD, including three titles previously unissued on any format. Also featured on the compilation are blues stalwarts such as Clay Hammond and Saunders King, along with a handful of more obscure acts such as Del Cunningham, Joe Johnson, Billy Keene and Rob Robinson. All these singers are staunchly in the same gutsy gospel-blues mould as Taylor, and similarly, are backed by the jazzy horn charts, stinging guitar and meaty rhythm section of Shanklin’s fabulous accompaniment. Many of these original Galaxy singles are also exceptionally rare. All tracks were cut in Los Angeles 1963-65, with this being the debut on CD for 22 of the 24 sides. Meticulous research in the Fantasy vault has meant the original session tapes have been utilised throughout, making this a feast for the ear of any discerning blues aficionado. ....................................
