One Step Beyond…

One Step Beyond . . . is the debut studio album by Madness, released by Stiff Records. Recorded and mixed in about three weeks, the album peaked at number two and remained on the UK Albums Chart for more than a year. The album has received much critical praise.

This was the first album produced by the team of Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley, who would go on to produce more Madness albums and to work with artists including Elvis Costello and the Attractions, Morrissey, Dexys Midnight Runners, They Might Be Giants and David Bowie.

The “Nutty Train” photo on the sleeve, shot by Cameron McVey, was inspired by a photo of Kilburn and the High Roads roadie Paul Tonkin that appeared on the back cover of the band’s album Handsome.

The title track, released as a single, was originally written and recorded by the Jamaican ska musician Prince Buster, and its “Don’t watch that, watch this …” introduction is adapted from another Prince Buster song, “The Scorcher”. The track “The Prince” is a tribute to Buster and a re-recording of the band’s debut single, originally released on the 2 Tone Records label. Its B-side, “Madness“, another Prince Buster song, was also re-recorded for the album. “Madness” and “Bed and Breakfast Man” were released as singles in North America through Sire Records.