Justin Hinds, 62; Popular Jamaican Singer, Songwriter

Justin Hinds, 62, a Jamaican vocalist and songwriter responsible for dozens of ska and rocksteady hits in the 1960s and 1970s, died of cancer Thursday in his native Steertown, St. Ann’s, in Jamaica.

Hinds was a cruise ship singer when he was discovered by producer Duke Reid. He soon became Reid’s most successful artist. His first recording session produced an instant hit, “Carry Go Bring Come,” that the Encyclopedia of Popular Music said established a pattern for his subsequent successes: Hinds’ “expressive country/gospel tenor lead vocals,” with his band, the Dominoes.

Over the next decade, Hinds produced hits in ska, rocksteady and reggae, including “King Samuel,” “Botheration,” “Jump Out the Frying Pan,” “The Higher the Monkey Climbs” and “Rub Up Push Up.”

After breaking up with Reid, Hinds recorded two albums for the Island/Mango label and two for Nighthawk Records. He had recently been working in Paris with the Jamaica All Stars, a musical collective that included Noel Simms, Johnny Moore and Sparrow Martin.