Justin Hinds
Passes on to Zion

Story and photography by Diane Adam © 2005

By now, most of the Reggae Family has heard about the passing of Justin Hinds on March 17, 2005.  This news first reached Robert Schoenfeld from the St. Louis based Nighthawk Records who reported that Justin’s family in Steertown District of St. Ann, Jamaica called him with the sad news and to say that Justin had only recently been diagnosed with cancer.    Justin Hinds leaves behind a wife named ‘Peaches’ and three sons, Carlton, Maxell, and Randy.  Justin was working with his son Maxwell Hinds, a talented drummer, on a new solo album at the time of his passing.  I know that we all join his family in lament of the great loss of a husband, father, friend and bringer of the sweet sound of Reggae Music all over the world. 

Hinds had been recently working in Paris, France with Noel Simms, Johnny More and Sparrow Martin of the Jamaica All Stars.  On March 23, 2005, the Jamaica All Stars’ album Right Tracks was released on the Passage Productions label where Justin Hinds’ unique vocals can be heard on the songs, “Drink Milk” and ”Army Men”.

I met Justin Hinds & The Dominos for the first time on April 9, 1999 when they performed in San Francisco, California at the Justice League (now known as The Independent).   Jah know!   I can vividly recall the show as if it happened yesterday.   My review of the event was published in the June 1999 edition of the then paper version of Reggae Review.  I would like to recall that event and story once more.  I hope in the retelling the memory, music and legacy of Justin Hinds will forever be burned into our souls and his spirit will remains always alive for those who loved him and his music.

Get Ready Everybody!

Rock Steady with Justin Hinds and The Dominos

Positive vibes filled the house when Justin Hinds and The Dominos brought their authentic Roots Reggae and timeless Ska driven pulse to San Francisco's Justice League on April 9, 1999.  Listeners jammed as Justin Hinds and the Dominos band — including his sons, Carlton Hines on percussion and Maxwell Hines on drums — smoothly navigated the audience through a galaxy of songs accenting Hinds' extraordinary career.  Hinds opened the show with the song, 'In This Time' from his 1992 album, Know Jah Better and favored us with classic Ska selections, 'Over The River' and 'Higher The Monkey Climbs'.    Hinds and The Dominos never skipped a beat, even when they slowed it down a taste with Rocksteady songs, 'Here I Stand' and one of my favorites, 'Natty Take Over' from the 1991 album, Judgment.  Hinds also sang the tasty, 'Dip and Fall Back' and 'Rub Up, Push Up'.  Stroking the Ska rhythm in fine style was Derrick "Danny" Reed on rhythm guitar, Bernard Fagan on bass, "Deadly" Headly Bennett on sax and Vin Gordon on trombone.   

Justin Hinds and The Dominos, Dennis Sinclair and Junior Dixon (original members who have since retired) became one of Jamaica's greatest vocal harmony trios in the 60's.  A true foundation artist, Hinds achieved fame for his distinctive vocal style, a sentimental and gently quivering tenor, dripping with vintage gospel and blues soul.  His unique sound was soon brought to the attention of the well-known Kingston producer, Arthur 'Duke' Reid who linked him with the legendary Skatalites (Baba Brooks, Tommy McCook, Lester Sterling and Rasta Jerry) to sing his popular "rumor mongering" song, 'Carry Go Bring Come' (1969).  The song was later recorded in one take at Reid's Federal Studios and eventually topped Jamaican music charts for seven weeks.

Justin Hines has been on the cutting edge of Jamaican music for more than 30 years and remains an important voice in Ska and Rocksteady.  As a rising star during the early days and the most successful artist in the Reid arsenal (1964-66), his music continues to influence generation after generation of musicians and singers.  Hinds’ estimates that he and The Dominos recorded at least seventy deep roots songs like 'King Samuel', 'Mighty Redeemer' and 'Weeping Eyes' -- more songs than any other artist on Reid's label.  

Hines was born in the village of Steer Town, Jamaica in the Parish of St. Ann, where he still makes his home today.  Brought up in a solid church foundation, he found inspiration in the beautiful gospel hymns he heard.  This loving impression would later emanate in much of his musical style.  Hinds’ says he was also influenced by many American R&B artists like blues guitarist and singer, B.B. King and the legendary rock 'n roller who found his thrill on Blue Berry Hill, Fats Domino.  His affection for Fats' music (and the popular game of Dominos) later reflected in the adoption of the name "The Dominos".

Kingston bound at the age of 17, Hinds connected with Rasta elders from Back O' Wall who revealed their philosophy to him.  Soon he came to embrace the teachings of his Rastafarian brethrens and his devotion is revealed in the purely "roots" richness of his music.  Hinds lived through some tremulous days in Kingston and said that his personal experiences with street hustlers and a too-close brush with robbers at the Reid studio compelled him to return to country life.  Though Hinds retreated from Kingston, he and The Dominos continued their loyal association with Reid until the early 70's, when the producer's fragile health forced him to depart (Reid died of cancer in 1974) and Sonia Pottinger (who gained prominence during the late Ska and early Rocksteady era) took up the recording operation. 

Hinds linked up with the St. Louis-based Nighthawk Records in 1981.  Soon after, the first-class album, Travel With Love was released.  Recorded at Tuff Gong Studios, Travel With Love (1984) assembled some of the original members of The Wailers, including one of the last recordings of drummer, Carlton Barrett (now passed on to higher ground) and bass guitarist, Family Man Barrett.  Hind's latest release on Nighthalk, Know Jah Better contains new compositions, including two outstanding dub versions, 'War Time Dub' and 'Proverbial Dub'.  The album also features some of Jamaica's hottest talents, guitarist Earl 'Chinna' Smith, saxophonist Dean Fraser, vocalist Derrick Laura and 1999 Grammy-winning drummer, Sly Dunbar.

Hinds' long time friend, Keith Richards' (guitarist for British rock group, The Rolling Stones) affection for Nyabinghi drumming inspired him to take up the Wingless Angels project that highlights Hinds on vocals and drums.  Wingless Angels are a group of devout Rastafarian Nyabinghi drummers and singers, coined with the name because Richards says, "they sing like angels but cannot fly."  Wingless Angeles took flight November 1995, parting the clouds with its mystical chanting, ancient hymns and gentle overdubs. Recorded live in the hills high above Ocho Rios, the heart of Wingless Angeles is found in the deep spiritual brotherhood echoing in each voice and drum that sweetly mingles with the lingering melody of nature found on a warm Jamaican night.  The tender charm of the album (released in 1998 by Island Jamaica Records) is sure to move you, especially on the songs, 'River of Babylon', 'Roll Jordan Roll' and 'Rasta Army'. 

This is only Justin Hinds & The Dominos third tour through the U.S., but with the resurgence of interest in Ska, we can expect to see more of these devoted musical conveyors.  The fully seasoned, yet youthful, Justin Hinds celebrated his fifty-seventh birthday in May — still on the righteous musical path — establishing his Justin Hines Label and working on his next album, Ska Fire, scheduled to be released in late December 1999.  Jah Blessings and Much Respect to Justin Hinds and The Dominos for a first-rate show.

Travel With Love Justin – Your music will live on for Iver more

Rastafari Blessings

Get Ready Everybody! Rock Steady with Justin Hinds and The Dominos

 First Published, June 1999 for Reggae Review