London-based powerhouse Five-Way Split return with their second album, Modus Operandi — a vibrant continuation of the straight-ahead, contemporary hard-bop sound that defined their acclaimed 2023 debut All The Way.

Formed through months of intense rehearsal during the 2020 lockdown, the band draws deeply from the lineage of Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, filtered through the modern New York energy of super-group One For All, ultimately forging a distinctive and personal voice within the genre.

Their debut was shortlisted on numerous end-of-year “Best Of” lists and earned them a nomination for Best Ensemble at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards. With expectations running high, Modus Operandi delivers in style. Expect snappy, melodic, harmonically rich original compositions from pianist Rob Barron, trumpet star Quentin Collins, and saxophone super power Vasilis Xenopoulos. As ever, their lines are driven by the rock-solid, razor-tight rhythm team of Matyas Hofecker (bass) and Matt Home (drums).

From the first bars, it’s clear this is a group that has put in the hard yards. Their music will delight anyone who loves melodic, hard-swinging, straight-ahead jazz played with commitment, craft, and serious fire.