Gary Sutherland has years of experience in the music field, wearing several hats, including those of engineer and producer.

He honed his musical chops working at the famed Tuff Gong for close to 10 years, including a brief stint at the Ghana-based Tuff Gong studio and has toured as a sound engineer with several acts through the years, including with Marley patriarch, Rita Marley.

Sutherland made his production debut in the mid-2000s with the Buss Weh riddim, and since then, he has released nine other riddim projects.

His latest project is the Detrimental Cool & Deadly riddim featuring Jamaican and international acts, scheduled for release on February 6, Bob Marley’s birthday, via Jumpout Production.

Sutherland explained the idea behind the name of the project.

“Like in Jamaica dem seh “that’s wicked” or “that’s bad!” which means good! So, Detrimental in the literal form is something harmful, but I twist it around to mean it’s great, which is the opposite. Chyna Nicole was the first to record on the riddim, and I liked the content and also the name. So, I named it that with the idea of dancing ‘cool and deadly.” It’s hot! And it is different from the rest of the projects I have worked on,” Sutherland told Observer Online earlier this week.

Featured on the project are Wild Love by Mikey Melody, Heading to the V.I.P. by David Luther King, Fish and Crackers by Franko Brian, Detrimental by Chyna Nicole, Endless Energy by female duo Irish Spice, I Know by S.H.A.W., and Protect Me Fada by Jehvauri.

Sutherland, who drafted Venezuelan musician Frank Sanchez to assist with the project, shared that the process of getting the artistes involved was easy.

“This project came together fairly easily because as soon as the artistes received the riddim, they were very interested to record. It took about six months to get all the artistes involved,” said Sutherland.

Releasing the project on Bob Marley’s birthday was strategic for Sutherland.

“I feel very connected to the Marleys. I toured with Rita Marley as her live sound engineer, and it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I also worked in her studio in Ghana for a few months when it was in the making. I feel very proud that my various artistes compilation album is dropping on Bob’s birthday. All the songs on the project are positive about life, love, and guidance from Jah. I think Bob Marley would be happy that reggae music has spread internationally and the spaces that reggae has developed into, including dancehall and fusion of other genres globally,” Sutherland disclosed.

Sutherland’s interest in music developed at an early age.

“My father, Father Stone, took me to Tuff Gong studio and asked Mrs Marley if I could work there as a teenager. From there, I was immersed in learning from greats like Errol Brown (Bob Marley’s engineer). For me, it was my university, because many engineers did not get the training that I did, including using actual 2-inch tape. I’ve recorded with Burning Spear, Dennis Brown, Marcia Griffiths, Alpha Blondy, Freddie McGregor, Buju Banton, and many other acts. Working with these foundational artists has shaped my keen ear for music, and touring has helped me understand how audiences feel and what they love, which propels me more to remain consistent,” Sutherland reasoned.