Ray Symbolic


Ray Symbolic HiFi was run by a man called Ray who was from Chishol Avenue, Waltham Park, Jamaica. Originally the Sound System was a soul sound but in 1977-1978 when Ranking Joe and Jah Screw had joined it started becoming more a rub-a-dub sound. In 1980 the sound was crowned Champion of the year and in the late Summer/Autumn of the same year they were the first Jamaican sound to tour abroad doing an all sold-out tour in the UK. Including dates at Acton Town Hall with Fat Man Hifi and Frontline International, Studio 54 in Wolverhampton and St Pauls Crypt, Deptford and the Newland Club, High Wycombe.

 

When Ray took a break to rebuild the sound, Ranking Joe and the selector Jah Screw moved to U Roy's Sound System King Sturgav. In 1980 Jah Screw and Ranking Joe rejoined Ray Symbolic. In 1981 Ray died in a car crash which was the ultimate end of Ray Symbolic HiFi.

 

Other deejays that have featured on the sound include Clint Eastwood and Ranking Dread.