Eric Matthew

Joseph William Tucci (born 1953), known under his alias Eric Matthew, is an American record label owner, record producer, engineer, songwriter and guitarist, previously involved in the New York post-disco scene of the early 1980s.

Biography Tucci originally performed at weddings, bar mitzvahs and parties in the New York metropolitan area with his friends. Then, after producing a demo with fellow band member Gary R. Turnier, he landed a record deal with indie label SAM Records, owned by Sam Weiss, which by then had major label Columbia as their distribution company. Essentially a minimal rock combo with musical influences ranging from deep funk, pop, jazz to disco, the band, named Gary's Gang by Turnier and Tucci, consisted of a saxophonist, a trombonist, a flautist, a percussionist, and keyboardists. The second album, Keep on Dancing, performed well on the music charts, peaking at #27 on the Billboard R&B Albums and #42 on the Billboard 200. This accomplishment led Tucci to establish his own record label and produce other artists. His productions included "Reach Up" by Toney Lee (on his own label) and the album Redd Hott by Sharon Redd (for Prelude Records). With Gary Turnier he produced records like Tracy Weber's "Sure Shot," Sinnamon's "Thanks to You," and Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde's "Genius Rap" in his garage. is married and has three daughters. His musical influences include 1960s pop and the "zaniness of the later Beatles albums."

Production and writing discography Year Work Label Add. Role Peak chart positions USR&B USDAN Gary's Gang 1978 "Keep On Dancin’" Columbia Records/Sony artist, co-writer, co-producer 11 1 Sharon Redd 1982 "Beat the Street" Prelude with Darryl Payne co-writer, co-producer 41 — 1983 "Takin' a Chance on Love" Prelude with Gene Redd, S. Redd, Ruth Carson co-writer, producer — — "You're the One" Prelude with Daryl Payne co-writer, producer — — "Love How You Feel" Prelude alone writer, producer — 16 1984 "You're a Winner" Prelude with S. Redd, Scott Nesbitt co-writer, producer — — Elektric Funk 1982 "On a Journey (I Sing the Funk Electric)" Prelude with Darryl Payne, Miles Watson co-writer, co-producer — 33 Toney Lee 1982 "Reach Up" Radar with Toney Lee co-writer, producer — 8 France Joli 1982 "Your Good Lovin'" Prelude with Darryl Payne co-writer, co-producer — 53 Sinnamon 1982 "Thanks to You" Becket with Darryl Payne, Keith Diamond co-writer, co-producer 44 1 Disco 4 1983 "We're at the Party" Profile with Disco 4 co-writer, producer 84 — Rockell 1998 "In a Dream" Robbins Entertainment co-producer — 13 Phats & Small 1998 "Turn Around" Multiply Records with Toney Lee co-writer — 1 Soulsearcher 1998 "Can't Get Enough" Defected Records co-writer — 20