“That Aaron Neville was among the first to recognize a young Phillip Manuel’s talent speaks volumes about his abilities. . . Manuel wields pinpoint control over his instrument, and is equally at home scatting to accentuate ‘Only All of Me Will Do,’ or calling on his R&B roots in ‘I Wish.’  Love Happened To Me is a poised, polished, graceful, lovingly rendered showcase for Manuel’s lithe voice.  Aaron Neville’s instincts were correct.”     Keith Spera, New Orleans Times-Picayune

“Manuel taps into his early R&B experience while maintaining elegant jazz sophistication, thanks in part to Michael Pellera’s exquisite arrangements and the ‘New Orleans Dream Team’ musicians. . . Manuel’s delivery is far from the funky or “raw and ragged” style often associate with R&B, however.  His experience in musical theater and with symphony orchestras leads to crisp phrasing and flawless articulation, but there is no lack of warmth, sincerity and passion in his singing, and his prodigious range doesn’t hurt either.”                               Jonathan Tabak, Offbeat Magazine

 “The overwhelmingly positive reaction to Phillip Manuel’s debut, Love Happened To Me, is indicative of his uncommon depth and confirms the demand for someone of his distinction.
Steve Williams, Gavin Report