"New York resident jazz pianist Manuel Engel makes a serious impression with ME 3, cutting a stylistic dash with sometimes minimalist, always classical-influenced piano manoeuvres. Alithea, the recipient of an award nomination at the LA Music Awards, is a masterly piece, parading Engel’s full panoply of keyboarding artistry." 
John Stevenson - ejazznews 



“Engel finds sweet release in the emptiness of space. Like the Buddhists, he wants to disconnect from tension by simplifying his thoughts. If today's computer-driven economy is squeezing all of us into a few universal shapes that can be organized at warp speed, Engel is finding us some wiggle room.”
Chuck Graham – Tucson Citizen



“The whole vibe and approach feels very fresh and personal.”
TAXI – The World’s Leading Independent A & R Company



”Engel has a knack for crafting elegant, cinematic pieces of music. And it is an ability he demonstrates splendidly on ME 3” a constantly shifting improvised album with an achingly beautiful, zen-like quality to it. Throughout, Engel’s classically influenced vision is experimental and refreshingly original: his playing is minimalist at times, exotic at others, and once in a while channeling Paul Bley’s more explorative imaginings. Finally, however, it is Engel’s piano playing that stars: his dreamy solo number ‘Alithea’ ends what is a dynamic” at times eerily hypnotic” experience.”
Tom Barlow, BBC/Jazzwise Magazine



“One can hear traces of Satie’s piano music.”
Robert Iannapollo – Cadence Magazine



Congratulations - basically, at least in modern times, this is the most radical avant-garde work. Meta Marie Louise associate groovy free jazz and avant-garde games (it sounds harsh and shrill at the first listening), but there is a spark and a subtle dash of hip-hop and pop-ironic themes. Suddenly, the genre-specific corridors open and acoustic fresh air comes in. Enormous power and we immediately want more. Finally Meta Marie Louise brings the avant-garde back to pop! "Sunny Spots," is a first appetizer on the way there, a sparkling, wild, beautiful enterprising talent test. There is still more potential behind it, because more needs to come! Just do not suddenly think of "target groups" and "genre"! Just keep going!
Skug – Sunny Spots Review