One Step Beyond... is the 1979 debut album by the British ska-pop group Madness. Recorded and mixed in about three weeks, the album peaked at number two and remained on the U.K. Albums Chart for more than a year. This was the first album produced by the Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley team, who would go on to produce more Madness albums and to work with artists such as 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 North American release of One Step Beyond... features a cover of Buster's "Madness", as the song was released as a single there, and the track "The Prince" is a tribute to Buster. After the album's initial release, reissues were released in 2009 and 2014, each containing additional material such as video productions featuring the band. The album has received much critical praise. It was ranked 90th in a 2005 survey held by British television's Channel 4 to determine the 100 greatest albums of all time.
