Dick Cuthell, born in Liverpool in 1949, is a highly accomplished British musician and record producer, celebrated for his mastery of brass instruments, including flugelhorn, cornet, trumpet, tenor horn, and valve trombone. His versatility extends to bass, keyboards, percussion, and his skills as a composer and arranger.
Cuthell’s career began in the 1960s, playing in bands such as the Washington Soul Band and Trifle. He later joined Island Records in the 1970s, working as an engineer and in-house producer. His time at Island Studios in Jamaica and London brought him into contact with reggae and ska musicians, shaping his musical style and leading to collaborations with artists like Delroy Washington.
He contributed to Bob Marley’s Exodus album, playing horns and assisting as an engineer, and worked on Burning Spear’s Marcus Garvey and its dub counterpart, Garvey’s Ghost.
Cuthell is best known for his work with The Specials, where he formed part of the horn section alongside Rico Rodriguez. He played cornet on their debut album and continued with the band into their later incarnation as The Special A.K.A., contributing to the hit single “Free Nelson Mandela” and the album In the Studio.
He co-wrote songs such as “Bright Lights” and “Racist Friend,” showcasing his talent as a songwriter. Cuthell also collaborated with Fun Boy Three, a group formed by ex-members of The Specials.
Throughout the 1980s, Cuthell expanded his session and production work, contributing to albums by Madness, Eurythmics, and The Pogues, Amazulu, The pogues, Madness and XTC.
He played horns on Eurythmics’ Touch and toured with the band, and his contributions to The Pogues’ Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash further demonstrated his adaptability across genres. His production credits include Boothill Foot Tappers’ album Ain’t That Far from Boothill.
Dick Cuthell’s career is marked by his ability to blend technical skill with creative artistry, making him a sought-after collaborator in the music industry.
