Just as one more possible sound and instrument available for these old- and new-generation of Jamaican percussionists. I argue therefore that the flexatone does not sound very European – or out of place – within an often Africa-focussed - and at least African-influenced genre - like Reggae.

Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Goode by Peter Tosh, reached the mainstream more, and uses the Flexatone (subtly in the mix), but not even this song was mentioned in the Wikipedia article. The] flexatone [is a] percussion instrument; shaking it causes two wooden balls, one on either side, to strike a metal blade subject to thumb pressure, which thereby can produce spooky glissando effects. One of these new generation percussionist is the already mentioned Hector Lewis of Chronixx’s Zinc Fence Redemption band, a “young lion” born in 1990. After listening Gregory Isaacs' Not The Way's intro, I think that is a flexatone also, only played with a stick, besides thumb.

Combinations of Digital Dancehall’s basic digital rhythms, with added acoustic instruments exist out there, though. Of course, modified and limited, it still echoes here and there such ancient musical bows, and other African string and metal instruments with “glissando/gliding”–like sounds. Glissando, said of the Flexatone sound, means in “Italianized French” nothing else than “gliding”, by the way. The Wikipedia article on the Flexatone mentions the use of the Flexatone in classical music, but in modern pop recordings too, in various genres.

It is recommended that pitch designation should only be approximate, [3] as, "specific pitches are difficult but possible; glissandi without specific pitch are easily executed. The Flexatone is a modern percussion instrument consisting of a small flexible metal sheet suspended in a wire frame ending in a handle. I had to listen more closely to Protoje’s song Hail Rastafari to ensure it was actually a Flexatone used in it.Although the flexatone has a very limited dynamic range, its volume can be controlled by how delicate or vigorous the performer shakes the instrument. Regarding mainstream Soul, the tambourine seemed to have been used most in Motown recordings, among the percussion, despite an occasional use of conga’s or bongos.