Justin Hinds & the Dominoes

Background

Justin Hinds was born on 7 May 1942 in Steer Town, Saint Ann Parish. He sang with two harmony partners from the area, Dennis Sinclair and Junior Dixon, who became the Dominoes. His lyrics drew on Bible verses and country proverbs, a style that set the group apart from the Kingston rude boy records of the time.

Duke Reid and Treasure Isle

The trio recorded for Arthur "Duke" Reid, and "Carry Go Bring Come", recorded late in 1963, went to No. 1 in Jamaica. Between 1964 and 1966 Hinds cut about 70 singles for Reid and was the most popular artist on his Treasure Isle and Dutchess labels. The hits included "King Samuel", "Jump Out of the Frying Pan", "The Ark", "Rub Up Push Up", "The Higher the Monkey Climbs" (1966) and "No Good Rudie". In the rocksteady years they recorded "On a Saturday Night" and "Here I Stand" (both 1967), with UK issues on Island and Trojan.

Later recordings

After Reid the group worked with Sonia Pottinger's High Note label. In 1976 Hinds recorded the album Jezebel with producer Jack Ruby. Travel with Love (1984) was cut at Tuff Gong, and Know Jah Better followed in 1992. Hinds also sang lead with Wingless Angels, the Rastafarian drumming and chanting project recorded with Keith Richards; a second album, Wingless Angels II, came out in 2010.

Death

Justin Hinds died on 16 March 2005, aged 62. "Carry Go Bring Come" remains one of the most reissued Treasure Isle ska records and has been covered by acts including the Melbourne Ska Orchestra.