Cover Culture : Sugar Minott / Aretha Franklin – One Step Ahead

COVER VERSION VS ORIGINAL SONG

Since the early 1960s and even prior, numerous iconic Jamaican hits were derived from popular foreign songs. The original pop and soul tracks were frequently embraced by audiences on the island, leading reggae artists to create their own renditions. Some of these artists gained fame by covering chart-topping songs, turning these adaptations into timeless classics.

For instance, American artist Bill Withers recorded the Grammy-winning song Ain’t No Sunshine, which Horace Andy later adapted, while Dennis Brown’s rendition of Black Magic Woman originally came from Fleetwood Mac. These two examples represent just a small fraction of the many covers that have emerged over the past sixty-five years.

Since the advent of these adaptations, both Jamaican and international reggae musicians have persistently reimagined pop and soul hits, continuing this tradition into the present. You’re welcome to listen to both the original and the cover versions to determine which one resonates with you the most.

SUGAR MINOTT

In September 2023, US-based Daptone Records unveiled Sugar Minott’s single One Step Ahead with The Inversions’ The Instrumentals on the flip side. Recorded initially at Victor Axelrod’s Don’t Trip Studio, this track represents one of the last pieces recorded during Sugar Minott’s remarkably impactful career. The Inversions’ original rocksteady riddim supporting Sugar’s rendition of Aretha Franklin’s beloved ballad was recorded during the same session as the rocksteady reimagining of Bob & Gene’s I Can Be Cool. One Step Ahead exemplifies Sugar Minott’s dedication to bringing American pop and soul tunes to the reggae idiom.

ARETHA FRANKLIN

The original song by American soul artist Aretha Franklin was issued as a 7″ single by Columbia Records in 1965. The A-side, One Step Ahead, reached #18 on the Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart. Featured on the B-side was I Can’t Wait Until I See My Baby’s Face, which originated from her 1964 album Runnin’ Out Of Fools. The single dropped two years prior to Aretha’s rise to fame after signing with Atlantic Records. Notably, One Step Ahead was never featured on any of her Columbia albums and is considered one of her rarest releases. Segments of the song have been sampled by several hip-hop producers.