Burning The Ground Exclusive 1986
“One Step Closer to You” is a 1986 hit written by the then-budding songwriting/production team of Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers, along with singer/musician – and later noted soundtrack songwriter – Jeff Pescetto and former Linx frontman David Grant. The song became the only Top 40 Pop hit for noted R&B/Hip hop singer-songwriter/producer Gavin Christopher, peaking at #22.
The song first appeared (titled simply “One Step Closer”) as an album track on the self-titled debut album from singer Marilyn Martin, released in early 1986. Later in 1986, Christopher released his own version of the song.
Christopher’s version soon cracked the top-ten on the Dance charts and the top 25 on both the Pop (#22) and R&B charts (#25). It was the biggest hit of his career.
The basic rhythm structure, bass-line, and tempo of Christopher’s version bear a striking similarity to that of Michael Jackson’s hit, “The Way You Make Me Feel” from his Bad album, which was released the following year.
SIDE A:
One Step Closer To You (Club Version) 7:40
One Step Closer To You (Acapella Plus) 4:24
SIDE B:
One Step Closer To You (Short Version) 4:26
One Step Closer To You (Instrumental) 5:46
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | One Step Closer To You | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #22 |
| 1986 | One Step Closer To You | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #9 |
| 1986 | Blue Jean | U.S. Billboard Hot R&B Hip/Hop Songs | #25 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Manhattan Records – V-56019
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: US
Released: 1986
Genre: Electronic
Style: Downtempo, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Co-producer –Gavin Christopher
Keyboards [Additional] – om Mandell*
Producer –Carl Sturken, Evan Rogers
Producer [Additional], Remix – Steve Thompson & Michael Barbiero
NOTES:
From the LP “Obe Step Closer”
Find the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon 2M Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24Bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
You can help show your support for this blog by making a donation using PayPal. Thank you for your help.
Many thanks Paul!
great sound!
Great song. Thx Paul.
Paul – many thanks for this one, one of my favorite tracks from 1986. As others have pointed out, It’s a link in an unusual chain: Likely inspired by ‘Everybody Wants To Rule The World’ from 1985 – the rhythm of which was inspired by Simple Mind’s brilliant 1984 track ‘Waterfront’ – and this track clearly inspired ‘Smooth Criminal’ a year later. Four essential 80s tunes. It’s amazing to me that the single version of ‘One Step Closer To You’ has never appeared anywhere digitally. In the last year I’ve bought the 7″, the 12″, the parent LP and the… Read more »
Genial
Thanks, Paul!! I gotta say, I loved this song back in the day!! I always thought it sounded very much like the Tears For Fears song Everybody Wants To Rule The World. At 0:18 the opening bass sounds a lot (to me) the opening of Everybody Wants To Rule The World (Extended Version). 6:50 of Gavin’s Club Version was a favorite section of mine. Thank you so much!!!
You’re welcome. I do hear the resemblance, Fred.
OMG< i love this tune! Didn’t know he passed away in 2016. Thanks Paul for keeping his music alive!.
You’re welcome, Gilbert 🙂
Another really fun one from my club days, Paul! Thanks for this fun romp down my dance club past.
People thought I was a genius when I mixed this in to extend Michael Jackson’s The Way You Make Me Feel before realizing *it was the same song* just with Gavin Christopher’s smoother voice and a bit more sparkle and pop on the synths. Fun stuff, my friend!
Pretty sure MJ released his track the following year 1987 still they do sound very much alike. Enjoy 🙂
Very jazzed-up to hear this one. I love Gavin Christopher’s voice. He did a great, almost James Brown-esque vocal on the pummeling “Breaker’s Revenge” single by Arthur Baker. Love that you described this record as very, “You Make Me Feel” which is a favorite MJ song of mine. Also love Thompson & Barbiero’s remix talents. This is going to be a fantastic listening experience. Thanks ever so much Paul!!!
Jeff
He was also in a group called High Voltage. I hope you enjoy these mixes, Jeff 🙂
I’ve always loved those EMI Manhattan labels.
Thanks again Paul for some new Thompson & Barbiero mixes!
You’re welcome, Ken 🙂