Donald Elfman at the New York City Jazz Record gave my Parallel States project a very nice review in the June 2016 Issue.

“From the first notes of this extraordinary recording, it is clear that the relationship between music and art is what inspired the project. Each of the works by pianist Matthew Fries and his sister, mixed media artist Loryn Spangler-Jones, is individual and exquisite…”

Mike Gates at UK Vibe gave Parallel States a nice review.

“There is some wonderful, lyrical, expressive playing to be enjoyed on ‘Parallel States’… This is music to lose yourself in, with Fries proving just what a consummate performer he is. His tunes are full of joy and wonderment, whilst still retaining a thoughtful, skillful repose.”

Robert Ratajczak posted a nice review of Parallel States on the Polish blog, Longplay.

“Wszelkie nawiązania, bądź dostrzegalne w kompozycjach echa, stanowią zaledwie jeden z wielu składników decydujących o ostatecznym kolorycie utworów wypełniających “Parallel States”, płytę wypełnioną muzyką nasyconą ogromem przestrzeni i silnie prowokująca wyobraźnię.”

Chris Spector over at the Midwest Record gives Parallel States a short, but enthusiastic review.

“…this is one of those sets that raises the bar and sets the gold standard for its genre…”

Vittorio Lo Conte posted a nice review of Parallel States on the Italian MusicZoom website.

“Si nota subito la sua enorme preparazione e la capacità di variare, da un brano all’altro, mostrando una cultura enciclopedica su quella che è la storia del piano jazz…”

The release date has been set for my new solo piano project. Parallel States will be available on CD and digital download on June 3, 2016. Look for limited edition vinyl and limited edition prints (cover art painting) coming later this summer.

You can preview the music and the artwork right here on my site. Enjoy!