Until last night I rated Jeff Beck’s set at Ronnie Scott’s just over a year ago as the ultimate insult to the jazz principles of this world-famous citadel. But he at least looked lean and fit, played technically brilliant guitar and even attempted a jazz ballad, Charlie Mingus’s tribute to Lester Young, Goodbye Porkpie Hat.

Phil Manzanera demonstrated not a smidgeon of jazz feel and all the middle-aged hubris of a wealthy rock star. After 10 irritating minutes of self-indulgent banter — “Charles [drummer Hayward] and I were at school together but I don’t think we’ve gigged together since my 21st birthday party” — Roxy Music’s former lead guitarist finally launched into action with all the commitment of someone jamming in his own recording studio.

The in-jokey opening number, Fortunately I Had One With Me, was low-intensity fuzz-rock, with Phil’s Firebird guitar pitching somewhere between Hank B Marvin, Brian May and a wasp in a jam jar. Cartagena, a better song with a discernible bassline, featured delay, distort and sustain effects, all mechanical.

Being a producer of note, Phil engaged a pretty strong group. Israeli bass-guitarist Yaron Stavi plays double-bass with the mercurial Gilad Atzmon, and Polish pianist Leszek Mozdzer revealed glimpses of largely wasted improvising skill. Manzanera and Hayward showed tight rhythmic understanding but of funk and real forward momentum there was none.

Guest David Gilmour is promised for tonight. After that? Perhaps, Bryan Ferry sings Billy Eckstine.
Until tomorrow (020 7439-0747).