The words "deeply personal" can often be banded around a lot in music reviews. That's in no way a bad thing - art can often be at its best when an artist decidedly draws from personal experiences that are either enthusiastically embraced or confronted through adversity.
With that in mind, there's something about the words "You, Me and the Mirror" that hits in a certain way. As the first track from Jordan Corda's 'Awakenings', it conjures up ideas of approaching the music with the honesty we afford ourselves when facing our morning reflection, or just finding ourselves having to confront an inescapable truth.
The old adage of a person moving beyond their own bullshit tends to be the beginning of a person's growth and addressing your own flaws resonates about as deeply personal as a sentiment can.
From the first track to the last, 'Awakenings' is indicative of this level of thought and sensitivity which permeates through the album's lush compositions and elegant performances. The Sardinian vibraphonist, who cites the album as his debut release, finds the perfect home in Italy's A.MA Records.
A label that has proved a sensational beacon for innovative and thought-provoking jazz has presented some phenomenal releases from European talent over the years. And while 'Awakenings' serves as Corda's official induction into the A.MA fold, he can cite having served as a member for another of the label's releases in pianist Luca Mannutza's 2025 album 'Circles' - a project that has become something of a companion piece for Corda's 'Awakenings' as the entire quintet returns to reignite their scintillating chemistry between them.
But while the return of Corda's vibraphone alongside saxophonist Paolo Recchia, double-bassist Daniele Sorrentino, drummer Sasha Mashin and of course Mannutza on piano calls to mind the excellent performances throughout 'Circles', there's certainly no confusion between them with both albums having a very clear and established identity and respective narrative.
And for projects created with such care, the concept of 'narrative' is an immeasurably vital component to consider - where 'Circles' explored notions of wholeness, unity and balance, 'Awakenings' undertakes the challenge of self-discovery. From the idea of exploring his own family's heritage to the discovery of his own musical voice and expression, Corda tackles the ideals with sincerity across the album's twelve compositions.
From the sobering 'You, Me and the Mirror' to the spirited 'The Continent' to the vibrancy of 'The Old Story' and the lament of 'All Began With a Rope', Jordan Corda's debut recognises that self-discovery is part of an ongoing conversation and although 'Awakenings' marks a milestone moment in that exploration, there is undoubtedly more to come. A deeply personal project? I'd certainly hope so.
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