Justin Hinds & The Dominoes
formed - 1963
Justin Hinds
b. May 7, 1942 - Steertown, Jamaica
d. March 16, 2005 -
Dennis Sinclair
Junior Dixon
Justin Hinds, together with backing vocalists the Dominoes (Dennis Sinclair and Junior Dixon), first recorded in late 1963 for producer Duke Reid. That first session produced an instant hit, 'Carry Go Bring Come', recorded in one take, and set a pattern from which Hinds rarely deviated - Hinds' expressive country/gospel tenor lead vocals, with empathetic support from the two Dominoes, backed by the Treasure Isle studio band led by Tommy McCook and Herman Marquis. Hinds was Reid's most successful artist in the period from 1964 to 1966, reputedly recording 70 singles. He stayed with Reid until 1972; the relationship produced some of the finest Jamaican music, through ska, rocksteady and reggae. In the former style, 'King Samuel', 'Botheration', 'Jump Out Of The Frying Pan' (all 1964), 'The Ark', 'Peace And Love' and the bawdy 'Rub Up Push Up' (all 1965) are exemplary.
The transition to the rocksteady format during 1966-67 resulted in hits such as 'The Higher The Monkey Climbs', 'No Good Rudy', a new rocksteady version of 'Carry Go Bring Come', 'On A Saturday Night', 'Once A Man', an anguished cover version of the Rip Chords' 'Here I Stand' and the sublime 'Save A Bread', both in 1968. Lyrically, Hinds utilized the rich Jamaican tradition of proverb and parable to reflect the wide range of issues thrown up by a society in transition from country to city. After Reid's death in 1975, Hinds made two albums with sound system owner and producer Jack Ruby. In 1978 he also recorded a handful of discs for producer Sonia Pottinger. Titles such as 'What A Weeping', 'Rig-Ma'Roe Game' and 'Wipe Your Weeping Eyes' showcased Hind's beautiful and expressive voice, and highlighted his lyrical concerns.
Since 1985, when he recorded the excellent album Travel With Love for Nighthawk Records of St. Louis, he has apparently preferred the rural lifestyle to the 'rat race' of Kingston. He is also part of the Wingless Angels, a group of Nyahbingi Rastafarian drummers.
-- Courtesy (Encyclopedia of Popular Music) --
 Throughout the crucial period which bore witness to the emergence of ska and its later mutations into rock steady and finally reggae, Justin Hinds was among the most successful recording artists on the Jamaican music scene, his sweet tenor spotlighted on hundreds of Duke Reid-produced singles cut between 1963 and 1972. Born May 7, 1942 in the St. Ann's area, Hinds' greatest music was created in the company of his backing vocalists the Dominoes, a duo comprising Dennis Sinclair and Junior Dixon; they first recorded at Reid's Treasure Isle studios in late 1963, their debut session yielding the hit "Carry Go Bring Come" in just one take.
Between 1964 and 1966, Hinds was Reid's most popular artist, and during this period alone he recorded some 70 singles backed by session aces Tommy McCook and the Supersonics; among his biggest ska hits were "King Samuel," "Jump Out of the Frying Pan," "The Ark" and "Rub Up Push Up." Around 1966, Hinds made the transformation to rock steady, and the hits kept coming -- over the next several years, he released smash after smash, including "The Higher the Monkey Climbs," "No Good Rudy," "On a Saturday Night," "Here I Stand" and "Save a Bread." He and Reid parted company in 1972, with the latter dying three years later; Hinds then began working with producer Jack Ruby, a collaboration which resulted in the 1976 LP Jezebel.
Two years later, he also teamed with producer Sonia Pottinger for a series of singles including "Rig-Ma-Roe Game" and "Wipe Your Weeping Eyes." After 1984's Travel with Love, however, the reclusive Hinds essentially went into retirement, leaving Jamaica only rarely.
-- Courtesy (Jason Ankeny, All-Music Guide) -- |
Current Show
Bible Message
