He is most well known for his work with the Soul Syndicate band and as guitarist for Bob Marley & the Wailers, among others, and has recorded with many reggae artists, appearing on more than 500 albums.

[2] Earl tried to emulate them using a toy sound system, leading to his nickname of "Tuner" (after a hi-fi amplifier), which was corrupted to "Chuner" and later "Chinna".

In addition, Smith played guitar on bed tracks recorded in Jamaica that were ultimately used on the Exodus album, namely The Heathen, Three Little Birds, and One Love, as well as the outtake Roots.

[6] Smith later worked with Bob Marley's sons Julian and Ziggy, touring internationally with the latter and playing on his Conscious Party album.

In 1986 Smith appeared as a member of Ernest Reed's (Jimmy Cliff) back-up band in the reggae-themed comedy Club Paradise.

[10] In 2017, Smith worked with the Jamaican reggae singer, songwriter and producer Emmanuel Anebsa on his EP Black People.