Most music fans know Randy Jackson as the youngest brother to join The Jacksons during their Epic Records years, but fewer remember that he also briefly stepped out on his own as a solo artist – even before forming the band Randy & the Gypsys.
In 1978, the then 16-year-old Randy released the solo single “How Can I Be Sure,” a smooth, sophisticated soul ballad that showed a different side of the young musician. Produced by Steve Stein, the song surrounded Randy’s surprisingly mature lead vocal with strings, horns, keyboards and a gentle rhythmic build that fit comfortably alongside the polished soul sounds of the era.
The song earned limited R&B radio attention, never developing into even a modest hit, but it really deserved better. Randy would later return to recording outside of his family group with Randy & the Gypsys, but “How Can I Be Sure” remains a fine, largely forgotten piece of late-’70s soul.
Check it out below
