Steps Ahead (originally known as Steps) is a jazz fusion group. According to the liner notes of the group's debut album, "Steps began as a part-time venture in 1979 at Seventh Avenue South, a New York City nightclub." A second studio recording was made on 17 December 1979, called Step by Step. Smokin' in the Pit was released in 1980 and awarded a gold record. The studio album Step by Step was released shortly after, followed in the summer of 1980 by another live recording called Paradox.