After playing in several bands including the Washington Soul Band and Trifle in the 1960s, Cuthell worked for Island Records in the 1970s as an engineer and later in-house producer. His work at Island Studios in both Jamaica and London brought him into contact with reggae and ska musicians, and these became a constant theme in the music he played and produced, working with Delroy Washington amongst many others. He acted as assistant engineer on Bob Marley's Exodus album,[6] on which he also played horns,[7] and also met Rico Rodriguez, with whom he would later work in The Specials.[8] He was also one of several engineers that worked on the dub album of Burning Spear's Marcus Garvey album, Garvey's Ghost.[9]
The Specials
Cuthell became, along with Rico Rodriguez, the horn section for the Specials, playing cornet on their debut album, and staying with the band into their later incarnation as the Special A.K.A., playing on the hit single "Free Nelson Mandela", and the album In the Studio.[1][10][11][12] He co-wrote two of the band's songs, "Bright Lights" and "Racist Friend", released together as a single in 1983, reaching No. 60 in the UK.[13][14][15]
Cuthell also recorded with another group of ex-members of the Specials, Fun Boy Three.[16]
