Eric Matthew

Eric Matthew
Birth name Joe Tucci
Origin Queens, New York
Genres Rock
Post-disco
Occupation(s) Producer, songwriter, engineer
Instruments Guitar
Labels Radar Records
Associated acts Gary's Gang, Darryl Payne, Toney Lee

Eric Matthew, real name Joe Tucci (born 1954),[1] has been a record label owner, record producer, engineer, and guitarist, previously involved in New York post-disco scene of the early 1980s.

Matthew, originally, performed at weddings, bar mitzvahs, parties in the New York metropolitan area with his friends, then after producing a demo with a fellow bandmember Gary E. Turnier he landed a record deal with an indie label SAM Records owned by Sam Weiss which by then had major label Columbia as their distribution company.[2] Essentially a minimal rock combo with musical influences ranging from deep funk, pop, jazz to disco that consisted of saxophonist, trombonist, flutist, percussionist, and keyboardists was named Gary's Gang by Matthew. His 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.[3] This accomplishment led Matthews to open his own record label and produce other artists. Among those he produced were "Reach Up" by Toney Lee (on his own label) or the album Redd Hott by Sharon Redd (for Prelude Records).

Biography

Matthew, a pseudonym of Joe Tucci,[4] is married and has two daughters, Gina and Patty Matthew.[5] Musically his influences include 1960s pop and the "zaniness of the later Beatles albums."[6] 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.[6]

Production discography

Year Work Label Add. Role Peak chart positions
US
R&B
US
DAN
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

References

  1. Nite, Norm N. (Sep 1, 1985). Rock on: the illustrated encyclopedia of rock n' roll : the video revolution, 1978-present. Harper & Row. p. 126. ISBN 9780061816444.
  2. Radar Records CD compilation booklet.
  3. Billboard Albums & Singles. Gary's Gang. Rovi Corp. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
  4. Frank Broughton, Bill Brewster (2011). The Record Players: DJ Revolutionaries. Black Cat, 2011. p. 121. ISBN 0-8021-7089-7.
  5. "General News: Lifelines > Births". Billboard 94: 84. Sep 25, 1982.
  6. 6.0 6.1 "Disco Dance Music > The Beat Meets The Street". Billboard (magazine) (Nielsen Business Media, Inc) (94). 19 Jun 1982. ISSN 0006-2510.