Modus Operandi is the incendiary new album from London-based five-piece instrumental jazz band Five-Way Split. A powerful statement of intent, the record captures a group at the height of its creative focus, delivering contemporary hard-bop rooted firmly in tradition yet driven by a modern edge.

Five-Way Split’s musical vision is to carry the torch lit by classic hard-bop ensembles of the 1950s and ’60s—groups such as Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers—while drawing inspiration from the contemporary US bop scene. Through vibrant original compositions and distinctive interpretations of swinging, groove-led material, the band brings a fresh and authoritative voice to today’s jazz landscape.

The group is a true collective of highly established musicians and Ronnie Scott’s regulars: trumpeter Quentin Collins, saxophonist Vasilis Xenopoulos, pianist Rob Barron, bassist Matyas Hofecker, and drummer Matt Home. Each member is an accomplished artist in their own right, having contributed to a wide range of successful projects across…