Recorded in 1963 and released on the Blue Note label, this is the first of two albums where McLean replaced the usual pianist with a vibraphone player. As a result, One Step Beyond features a new sound that, while still rooted in hard bop, was more spacious and adventurous than his earlier work and leaned towards post bop and free jazz.

"This music still sounds fresh, vital, and full of grainy mystery."
All Music