Music video for launch single “Run” lensed at Long Island City’s famed 5 Pointz, which is now scheduled for demolition.
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.
The singer/songwriter’s debut album “Extraordinary Woman” will be released Tuesday, August 13, on New York-based indie label Young Pals Music, available on all download websites and as a physical CD. Produced by Ayhan Sahin (Olivia Newton-John, Sandra Bernhard, Chaka Khan), its 10 songs exemplify “everywoman’s” ongoing pilgrimage and showcase 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.
Uptempo launch single “Run” offers an accompanying music video -- directed by Christopher Holmes (Holmeswood Features Entertainment) -- shot on location in Long Island City’s famed 5 Pointz, the world’s premiere outdoor “graffiti Mecca.” The site has become an immense canvas for sanctioned street artists from around the world, who have painted vivid works across the walls of a marquis 200,000-square-foot factory building and dozens of surrounding warehouses. Making Jacob’s colorful videoclip all the more timely, 5 Pointz owner David Wolkoff announced that it will be demolished at year-end 2013.
Other highlights on “Extraordinary Woman” include album opener “Kryptonite” (which features Phil Collins’ familiar percussive hook from Frida’s 1983 hit “I Know There’s Something Going On”). The song 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. Nimble frolic “Look What You’ve Done To Me” offers a sax-soaked narrative on love done right; while sonic speedball “Lost and Found” works up a sizzling sweat with the ultimate lyrical kiss-off.
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 offers the ultimate acclamation of an “Extraordinary Woman.” The dancefloor twirler is a 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.”
Sahin wrote all songs on the album, alongside several collaborators, including Dennis DelGaudio, Jerri Bokeno, Bernadette O’Reilly and Tara Bahna James, with Jacob contributing lyrics for three tracks.
The artist 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. Eight years ago, she relocated to New York City, performing at Town Hall’s “Broadway's Rising Stars”; in “Emma the Red” at the BMI-Lehman Engel Musical Theatre; and in numerous musicals, including “Scarlet Takes A Tumble,” “Confessions of a Reality TV Star,” “Angels” and “Dear Mr. Rosan.”
Jacob has sung backup for acclaimed singer/songwriter Martin Sexton, and recorded with French producer Francois Bisi, Bollywood producer Gerard John, and provided vocals for rapper H the Eighth Letter. As a full-fledged Actors’ Equity member, she also serves as Executive Producer for theater company/artist collective Purple Threads Ensemble. 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.
For information contact: Janet Castiel, Redwood Entertainment, Inc. -- (212) 543-9998 -- info@redwoodentertainment.com
