It wasn’t until 1987 that Randy Jackson signed with A&M Records, the same spot where Janet became a multiplatinum superstar after Control established her as one of the labels marquee artists. Former family friend and then-A&M Records A&R executive John McClain, who is currently the hated family foe/co-executor of Michael Jackson’s estate, was instrumental in shaping Janet’s rhythmic rebirth and signed Randy as well, serving as executive producer on his project.

“Randy was dope and had real vision,” says keyboardist/ producer Khris Kellow, who collaborated with Jackson on what would be called Randy and Gyspys (sic). A Queens, New York native who played on various 1980s recording sessions while still a teen, he played with the System and was part of the David Frank/Mic Murphy produced trio Attitude with singers Cindy Mizelle and Stephen Miller. Kellow was initially signed to A&M Records as a solo artist, but was paired to work with Randy after that deal expired. “When you come from a large famous family, it’s easy to get overlooked, but Randy was the real deal.”

Unlike his siblings, who all desired solo spotlight success, Randy put together the group the Gypsys and didn’t even want his name on the album. “I compromised,” Jackson told the Los Angeles Times in October 1989, the same month Randy & the Gypsys was released. “I just used my first name. I can make it without help from the Jackson name. The music is strong enough to grab people on its own.”

Although that statement might’ve sounded cocky, it was true that Randy and The Gypsys – a posse that later included Baba Burns, Cece Worrall, Cornelius Mims, Jara Harris, Jeff Harris, Pepe Tynes- delivered a solid album that would’ve been a contender if Janet hadn’t released an album at the same time. An electric dream synthesis of new jack swing (“Perpetrators,” “Love You Honey”) Minneapolis soul (“Luv Thang,” “Gigolo”) and atomic-dawg funk (“You Got a Lady”), Randy and The Gypsys was Jackson’s concept.

However, according to Kellow, the Gypsys weren’t selected until after the album was completed. “The majority of the songs were put together by Randy and I in a studio he owned in Beverly Hills called Neighborhood Recordings,” Kellow says. “He had already started the project when I got there at the end of ’87, but he wanted to go in a different direction. He and I gelled and, in retrospect, he let me do what I wanted to do. When I got to the studio, I was like, ‘Where are the Gypsys?’ Basically, I was the Gypsy.”

http://www.soulhead.com/2...more-33773

I liked them. My favs were Love You Honey & Perpetrators. I wonder will he ever come out with new music. I feel alot the family members solo projects got slept on & some of the albums have good cuts on them. Seems like mostly all of the Jacksons have shown some musical talent.

MotownSubdivision said:

Randy's album is the physical definition of "slept on". Had he not released it in the same time frame as Rhythm Nation then he at least would have stood a chance but unfortunately the general population doesn't even know this album exists.

EXACTLY!! It's a really good album. I listen to it now.

MotownSubdivision said:

Randy's album is the physical definition of "slept on". Had he not released it in the same time frame as Rhythm Nation then he at least would have stood a chance but unfortunately the general population doesn't even know this album exists.

i wonder what made a&m release it the same time, that was stupid. mike and janet never released at the same time.

MotownSubdivision said:

Randy's album is the physical definition of "slept on". Had he not released it in the same time frame as Rhythm Nation then he at least would have stood a chance but unfortunately the general population doesn't even know this album exists.

I don't think he was competing with Janet. He was more so competing with his other brothers Marlon and Jackie. Jermaine had a almost 20 year solo career in 1989 so he wasn’t competing with him either, (maybe with women … aye!)

Hell, how many people in 1989 knew of this release? It just wasn't promoted correctly, (if at all.)

Also, there were three other Jackson LPs released in the calendar year of 1989. In May, 2300 Jackson Street [59 Pop / 14 R&B] which Randy was also apart of. Jermaine's Don't Take It Personnel [115 Pop / 18 R&B] in August 22 and Jackie's Be The One September 9 [84 Pop.]

Randy's was released October 4 and didn't chart. Though the singles charted. Rhythm Nation on September 19 and y'all know how that charted.

I have the album on cassette. I like it-- it has some good ballads and some surprisingly funky songs. Janet having a release at the same time doesn't seem like a good enough reason why A&M put no promotional muscle behind Randy's album at all. I'm not sure what happened there. A follow-up album would've been cool.

Scorp said:

phunkdaddy said:

Scorp said:

But wait


I thought the Jacksons were a one man show only

Is this the same Randy Jackson who co wrote Skake Your Body Down To The Ground. Is this the same Randy who help MJ develop rhythm arrangements for a significant amount of songs on the Off The Wall album, which that documentary didnt really mention

Naw, it cant be

Respectfully man don't open up that can of worms it's enough of that already
in MJ and other Jackson threads. I see where you coming from but it will be
the same old same old and I'd rather this be about Randy's music.

lowkey said:

Scorp said:

phunkdaddy said:

Respectfully man don't open up that can of worms it's enough of that already
in MJ and other Jackson threads. I see where you coming from but it will be
the same old same old and I'd rather this be about Randy's music.

Aint no same ole same ole

Randys musical contribution to the family act have been in print since 1978

I always wonder why Randy never wrote or produced for anyone else outside the family? All of the other brothers have worked with various others. Of course Mike and Jermaine. Even Marlon, Tito and Jackie had other projects. But not Randy. Only thing I can find on Randy is he did backgroud vocals on a Tremaine Hawkins record (but it was produced and written by Tito, and the other brothers were on it also. I actually think this is a Victory outtake.)