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Chinna

Real Name:
Earl "Chinna" Smith
Profile:
Although he is most well known for his work with the legendary Soul Syndicate band and as Reggae’s most sought after lead guitarist, his musical credits reach far beyond just guitar playing. He’s composed, written, arranged, engineered, produced and played both rhythm and bass guitar. Chinna has probably had the most profound influence on the evolution Jamaican music, recording with artists like: Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Peter Tosh, Dennis Brown, Mutabaruka, Freddie Mac Greggor, Michael Rose, Mighty Diamonds, Black Uhuru, Burning Spear, the Heptones and Sizzla just to name a few. Chinna’s name appears on the credits of well over 500 albums. But, it’s not just reggae where you’ll see his name, he’s recorded with artists of all genres, including: Lauren Hill, Eve, Erykah Badu and Joss Stone.

Chinna often says that everything needs to be balanced. In his life and in his music, he’s constantly seeking to find the perfect balance. He’s toured all over the world, with all the greats in Reggae. He also served for many years as musical director for Grammy award winning group Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. Even though he’s traveled all over the world, if you ask Chinna where his favorite place is, he’ll tell you that there’s no place he’d rather be than in Kingston, Jamaica at home, in his yard.

His yard, in the notorious Half Way Tree neighborhood, is exactly where he decided to record his latest work; “Inna De Yard” on the MakaSound label. The production consists of 13 amazingly, naturally beautifultracks featuring only voices, guitar and some drumming. The CD also features a 45 minute DVD with some rare footage of Chinna and his friends hanging out in the yard making music, naturally.

He tours less now and works more with the musical youth in his Kingston community. He coaches, directs, instructs, organizes, lectures & motivates. His spiritual insights are so inspiring, so profound that many gather in his yard each day, just to hear what he’ll say.

An unabashed purest, and a musician's musician, Chinna is committed to live recording, a trait that carries over to his guitar playing style which involves a minimum use of studio gadgets.

"People have stopped working and let electronics do their work for them," Chinna told Guitar Player Magazine in a 1983 interview, "I'm not against electronics but I believe if the music I'm playing can be more natural, then it will be more spiritual."
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Discography

Appears On:
Freedom Sounds (LP)   Dynamic Sounds 1974
Babylon Fall (LP, Album)   Stars 1976
Blackheart Man (Album) (4 versions)   Island Records ... 1976
CB 200 (LP, Album)   Island Records 1976
Revolutionary Sounds (LP)   Well Charge 1976
Black Echoes (2 versions)   D.E.B. Music 1977
Moodie In Dub Vol 3 (LP)   Moodie Music 1977
Protest (2 versions)   Island Records 1977
Superstar (LP)   Third World 1977
African Princess (LP)   Trojan Records 1978
Heart Of A Lion (Album) (2 versions)   Virgin ... 1978
Heaven Is My Roof (LP, Album)   Tappa Records, Stars 1978
Planet Mars Dub (Album) (2 versions)   Front Line Records ... 1978
Religious Dread (LP)   Trojan Records 1978
Rocking Vibration (LP)   Burning Sounds 1978
Bitter Sweet (LP)   Warrior Records (2) 1979
Cocaine In My Brain (12")   IF Records (2) 1979
Funky Punk/Rock To The Music (Album) (2 versions)   Bellaphon ... 1979
Give The People (LP)   United Artists Records 1979
Green Valley (LP, Album)   Manic Records (3) 1979
Revolutionaries Sounds Vol.2 (LP, Album)   Ballistic Records 1979
School Days (LP, Album)   Jah Life 1980
Time & Place (LP, Album)   Muni Music 1980
Black Sounds Of Freedom (Album) (2 versions)   Greensleeves Records 1981
Give The People What They Want (2 versions)   MCA Records ... 1981
Sings The Wailers (Album) (3 versions)   Island Records ... 1981
Train To Zion Dub (LP)   Tuff Gong 1981
Across The Red Sea (Album) (2 versions)   On-U Sound ... 1982
Bushmaster Revolution (LP)   Incredible Jux 1982
Dance Hall Style (LP, Album)   Black Joy 1982
Give Me Power (Album) (3 versions)   Nighthawk Records 1983
Lovers Leap Showcase (LP)   RDL Records 1987
Earth's Rightful Ruler (Album) (3 versions)   Shanachie ... 1988
Dub Jackpot - The Aggrovators & King Tubby's (LP)   Attack 1990
Crisus Time - Extra Version (CD, RM)   Front Line Records, Virgin 1991
Original Rockers (CD)   Shanachie 1991
Into The Groove Volume 18 (CD) Ménage à 4 Groove Magazine France 1998
Love Forever: The Classic Jamaican Recordings (2xLP)   Century Records 1999
Message From The King (LP)   Front Line Records 2000
Dubbing With The Don (LP)   Jamaican Recordings 2001
Up Town Top Ranking (2 versions)   Front Line Records 2001
14 Dub Blackboard Jungle (2 versions)   Auralux Recordings 2004
Flesh Of My Skin Blood Of My Blood (CD)   Basic Replay 2004
Born For A Purpose - Sons Of Thunder (LP)   Keyman Records  
Ghetto Dub (LP, Album, RE)   Century Records  
Satta (LP)   Azul  
Stand Up To Your Judgement (LP, Album, RP)   Channel One  
Tracks Appear On:
Dub Jackpot - The Aggrovators & King Tubby's (LP) A Come Version Attack 1990
King Tubby... At The Controls (CD) A Come Version Trojan Records 1999
The Big J Of Reggae (LP) Satan Side Joint International  
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