One Step Beyond…

“One Step Beyond…,” Madness’s debut album released on October 19, 1979, is seminal in the British ska revival. Produced by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley and launched by Stiff Records, it blends ska, 2-Tone, and pop, highlighted by vibrant horn sections and clever lyrics. Key tracks include the energetic “One Step Beyond,” a cover of Prince Buster’s song, and hits like “The Prince” and “My Girl,” which mix traditional ska rhythms with pop melodies. The album soared to No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart, influencing the New Wave scene and solidifying Madness’s iconic status with its mix of punk energy and pop appeal. It remains a staple in ska music history and Madness’s performances.

The album exhibits a distinctive feature in its track listings and packaging, particularly evident in its UK and international releases. Track B7, entitled “Madness,” was intentionally omitted from the sleeve and the label of the UK releases. This track remained unlisted in all UK editions until it was finally included in the 2009 reissues, thereby creating a subtle surprise or Easter egg for fans and collectors.

The initial UK releases of the album had an oddity: the word “Man” was omitted from the title “Bed & Breakfast Man” on the album’s label and sleeve rear. These omissions are common, reflecting either a design oversight or stylistic minimalism.

The album’s popularity led to an interesting market phenomenon regarding Portuguese pressings. They seem to be as prevalent in the UK second-hand market as the UK pressings themselves. This suggests Portuguese editions were likely imported to meet the high UK demand, illustrating the band’s broad appeal and logistical efforts to ensure fans had access to their music during their peak popularity.