Initially voiced over a midi demo at Axelrod’s Don’t Trip Studio, \u201cOne Step Ahead\u201d is one of the last recordings made during Sugar Minott’s exceptionally influential career. The backing track, courtesy of The Inversions, was cut at Diamond Mine studio during the same session as the rocksteady update of Bob & Gene’s \u201cI Can Be Cool\u201d. With Axelrod at the helm the team transforms the cult classic ballad, originally recorded by Aretha Franklin, into an ethereal piece of rocksteady magic. In addition to writing a wealth of original material, Sugar Minott had a deep appreciation and a passion for not only Jamaican ska, rocksteady, and reggae (which he helped develop) but also American soul and pop music. He brought enduring versions of Michael Jackson’s \u201cGood Thing Going,\u201d The Persuaders \u201cLove Gonna Pack Up\u201d and Dionne Warwick’s \u201cA House Is Not A Home\u201d to the reggae idiom. \u201cOne Step Ahead\u201d fits perfectly in this tradition, effortlessly bridging the gap between American pop and Jamaican soul. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"