"One Step Beyond..." is the debut studio album by the British ska-pop group 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 over a year. It has received much critical praise and was ranked 90th in a 2005 survey by Channel 4 to determine the 100 greatest albums of all time.
This album was the first produced by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley, who would continue to work with Madness and other artists, including Elvis Costello, Morrissey, Dexys Midnight Runners, They Might Be Giants, and David Bowie.
The "Nutty Train" photo on the sleeve, taken 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 Jamaican ska musician Prince Buster, with its "Don't watch that, watch this..." introduction adapted from another Prince Buster song, "The Scorcher." The track "The Prince" serves as a tribute to Buster and is a re-recording of the band's debut single, originally released on the 2 Tone 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.
After the album's initial release, reissues were released in 2009 and 2014 by Union Square Music's collector's label Salvo, each containing additional material such as video productions featuring the band.
