Born at SUNY-New Paltz in 2008, upstate New York’s own ska-reggae group the Big Takeover specializes in Jamaican rhythms, as heard on its third album, “Children of the Rhythm,” which boasts the band’s signature blend of upbeat, horn-inflected ska, deep, funky reggae grooves, soulful melodies, and dub dropouts.
The Big Takeover is fronted by Jamaican-born and raised vocalist NeeNee Rushie and features a two-man horn section. Claiming influences including Dennis Brown, Bob Marley, Beres Hammond, Delroy Wilson, Alton Ellis, Michael Jackson, Fela Kuti, the Specials, and Aretha Franklin, the Big Takeover has shared stages with such reggae royalty as the Wailers, the Skatalites, the Slackers, Yellow Man, Inner Circle, Eek a Mouse and Sister Nancy.
