Thanks for sending in your questions for Earl. We received hundreds of questions, we have included a selection of them here.


Sara H. from the Netherlands asked Earl:-
Q: When you are travelling around the world doing concerts etc. do you bring your family with you and do the UB juniors like the music as much as their daddy’s?
A: Yes sometimes if we’re staying in one place for a while.
My children seem to enjoy the concerts and play our cd’s. They also like Hip Hop, R & B and Dance Music

Robert Murray from Glasgow, Scotland asked Earl:-
Q: Earl who do you currently listen to? Is there any reggae artist you listen to, who is your favourite?
A: At the moment I’m listening to a lot of Hip Hop, Dilated People, More Fire Crew and I’ve rediscovered Bob Marley and the Wailers and Accelerated Culture Helter Skelter Live at Milton Keynes. Too many geniuses to have one favourite.

Q: What is your favourite UB song of all time?
A: Sing Our Own Song

Willy from Holland asked Earl:-
Q: If there was one thing in life you could experience again, what would it be?
A: Going to a Bob Marley concert.

Thomas Renshaw aka The Prisoner asked Earl:-
Q: I like Drum and Bass as well as UB40 and was wondering what your influences are for your style of drum and bass, and for your other solo projects. Also when is the next Maximum Boost release due?
A: The next Maximum Boost release is out now available through the website www.maximum-boost.co.uk My Drum and Bass influences include Roni Size, Andy C, Adam F, Alex Reece.......

Bruno Angelini aka Oldboi asked Earl:-
Q: When are we gonna see your Maximum Boost cd album on the streets?
A: It’s currently available through Maximum Boost website www.maximum-boost.co.uk It’s called ‘Lockdown’

Anne-marie from Birmingham, England asked Earl
Q: I know you are a big drum and bass fan, which 3 UB’s songs would you remix in a drum & bass stylee and which of them do you think would stand out the most?
A: One In Ten
Sing Our Own Song
Sardonicus

One In Ten would probably turn out the best because it would have to be Rip Roarin Bass Line with Smash Down Babylon Drums and with the lyrics I think it would make for a great revolutionary piece.

Chris and Andi aka Caja and Mbg from Newcastle, England asked Earl:-
Q: Apart from touring, seeing all different parts of the world, which venue do you like travelling to the most and why?
A: Amsterdam, Holland for the coffee shops

Imani from Bradford, England asked Earl:-
Q: On many occasions, you’ve mentioned Aston Barrett and Robbie Shakespeare’s impact upon you as a bassist. Which of your own basslines down the years are you most proud of?
A: I Would Do For You
All I Want To Do

Luis Roberto from Chile asked Earl:-
Q: I and many other Chilean fans knew about UB40 due to a tour when you came to Chile. Would you like to come back to look at what you planted some years ago?
A: Yes we’d love to - had a fantastic time the first time, hopefully we’ll see you in the not too distant future

Reza from South Africa asked Earl:-
Q: There’s hardly a UB album available these days without you featuring and we’ve now become accustomed to hearing ‘Early B’. Do you see yourself featuring more prominently on future albums and what would be the ideal track you’d like to do? See you in SA in a few weeks.
A: No not necessarily, it just comes down to good material at the time and what gets voted on to the album

Ray aka Rockin Robot asked Earl:-
Q: I would like to know at what point do you lay down your Bass Lines when a song is being put together. Do you and Jimmy jam together and come up with some rhythms, or do you already have melody’s to work around. Also what is it like recreating bass lines on the covers you do, which are by some of your heroes. I love your bass lines they really hook me everytime, have done for many a year.
A: Both, I prefer to work from a melody but there are no rules. It is a Labour of Love and great fun recreating bass lines on the covers.

Steve from Devon, England asked Earl:-
Q: Hi Earl, I’ve been a reggae fan since the late sixties, buying the Jamaican imports as soon as they came in. Sadly, most are beyond playing now! What are your top 10 early reggae tracks? Here’s to another 21
A: Lively Up Yourself - Bob Marley
Sounds of Freedom LP - Black Uhuru
Star Trek - Vulcans
That’s The Way - Delroy Wilson
Liquidator - Harry J All Stars
Black Star Liner - Fred Locks
King Tubby Meets The Upsetter At The Grass Roots and Dub - King Tubby and the Upsetters
Reggae Give Dem Dub - Big Youth
Screamin Target Lp - Big Youth
Hail Him - Burning Spear

Robert Murray from Glasgow, Scotland asked Earl:-
Q: Earl could you say whether or not there will be some chapters from Labour of Love or is that it for that project. Is the Fathers Album going on tour with UB40?
A: More Labour of Love possibly, but will be later rather than sooner. The Fathers Album will be going on tour with UB40 at some point most definitely.

Willem Wildemans from the Netherlands asked Earl:-
Q: Why didn’t you and Astro toast on the UB40 Dancehall Album?
A: Because it was about Jamaican Artists to cut a long story short, it never really crossed our minds but that would have been a good idea.