Erica Jacob, “Extraordinary Woman”
Every
“Extraordinary Woman” has her tale to tell. If she’s done it right, life’s
journey embodies adventure, love, passion, heartache, risk, redemption and
rediscovery. Erica Jacob, in short order, has ticked off the majority of that
list, and she’s ready to tell the world about it.
Her
debut album comprises 10 songs that exemplify “everywoman’s” ongoing
pilgrimage. Produced by Ayhan Sahin (Olivia Newton-John, Sandra Bernhard, Chaka
Khan)—and released on his New York-based indie label Young Pals Music— Jacob’s
“Extraordinary Woman” is a joyous pageant of sing-along anthems, offering
musical mastery akin to the 100-watt persona of Jennifer Hudson, and the vocal
chops of Alicia Keys.
Jacob
met Sahin eight years ago, and they immediately recognized musical kinship. She
first contributed vocals to his full-length musical “Swedish Style,” and then a
co-produced album between Sahin and acclaimed musician/co-producer Dennis
DelGaudio (Billy Joel, Elton John.) Ultimately, Sahin was so impressed with her
talent that he signed Jacob for a full-length solo project.
That
was three years ago, and in the time since, with his guidance, she has defined
a signature vocal style all her own, resulting in a collaborative labor of
love. In addition, Sahin wrote all songs on the album, alongside several
collaborators, including DelGaudio, Jerri Bokeno, Bernadette O’Reilly and Tara
Bahna James—while Jacob contributed lyrics for three tracks.
Album
opener “Kryptonite” (which features Phil Collins’ familiar percussive hook from
Frida’s 1983 hit “I Know There’s Something Going On”) tumbles playfully with a
taut tale of loving the wrong guy: “I can’t live this life without you, but I
don’t wanna live it with you,” Jacob laments.
Launch
single “Run” throbs and thumps with equal fervor, alongside a taunting tug of
war, as she warns, “I’m not addicted to the love we share”; while nimble frolic
“Look What You’ve Done To Me” offers a sax-soaked narrative on love done right.
Maintaining the pace, sonic speedball “Lost and Found” works up a sizzling
sweat with the ultimate lyrical kiss-off; as the bouncy “City Lights” conjures
a warm tropical eve, as she sings, “Stop with all the fuss and fights and meet
under the city lights/Kiss and tell and dance the night away.”
Slowing
the tempo, beautiful brooding ballad “Falling” swirls with an emotional
instrumental tornado, as Jacob reflects with regret on a faded love affair;
while in equally doleful sonnet “Too Many Reasons”—an album standout—she mourns
with unstrung anguish, “Nothing’s the same as the pain of beginning again.”
The
set’s title track, of course, offers the ultimate acclamation of an
“Extraordinary Woman.” The giddy, dancefloor twirler is a consummate paean to
strength and inner beauty, as she proclaims, “There’s more to me than meets the
eye/Don’t stop at the what, babe, go for the why.”
That
song’s lyrical mandate “Don’t stop” is certainly an applicable mantra for
Jacob’s career. She was raised in Houston, singing in church, and cherishing
the gospel & blues of Ella Fitzgerald, along with the diverse talents of
Judy Garland, Fiona Apple and Jeff Buckley. As a teen, she performed in theater
productions throughout Texas, developing onstage chops as an actress and
singer.
Eight
years ago, Jacob was ready to take on the bright lights of New York City. She
wasted little time, performing at Town Hall’s “Broadway's Rising Stars”; in
“Emma the Red” at the BMI-Lehman Engel Musical Theatre; for the New York
Theatre Barn’s monthly cabaret series; and in numerous musicals, including
“Scarlet Takes A Tumble,” “Confessions of a Reality TV Star,” “Angels,” “Dear
Mr. Rosan,” and “Bring Me A Dwarf: The Twisted World of Peter Charles
Morris.”
In
addition, she aligned with songwriter Maria Christensen (Jennifer Lopez, Celine
Dion, ‘N Sync), who so believed in Jacob’s talent that she lined up backup gigs
with acclaimed singer/songwriter Martin Sexton. Jacob also recorded with French
producer Francois Bisi, Bollywood producer Gerard John, and provided vocals for
rapper H the Eighth Letter. And faith continues to pervade her soul—as a
worship leader at Manhattan’s Christian City Church (C3).
Today,
as a full-fledged Actors’ Equity member, Jacob also serves as Executive
Producer for theater company/artist collective Purple Threads Ensemble, which
develops and showcases plays, choreography and festivals that explore the human
condition (including the renowned Kitchen Riots festival). The group’s mandate,
in fact, mirrors her own: “Art is important. It can build a bridge of
understanding. For a shared moment, in the presence of great art, we are
united.”
Extraordinary,
indeed.
Chuck Taylor has been an entertainment
journalist for 25 years, including more than a decade as a Senior Writer/Editor
for Billboard magazine in New York.
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| Janet Castiel, Redwood Entertainment, Inc. -- (212) 543-9998 -- info@redwoodentertainment.com |
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