Album Review: OJT- Ground Level

What’s the best American band of the last 75 years? Variations of the question frequently pop up in barrooms and internet forums. Acceptable responses range from Miles Davis’ Second Great Quintet to Creedence Clearwater Revival. The correct answer, however, is Booker T. & the MGs.

The three members of OJT- organist Ken Lovern, guitarist Brian Baggett and drummer Kenny Watson Jr.- display their affinity for the legendary Memphis group on the new album Ground Level. “Loose Space” is an interpolation of “Time Is Tight” while the title of “Baggy Blues Jeans” may allude to Booker T. & the MGs’ “Hip Hug-Her”. 

The jazz filter OJT applies to the framework of timeless soul amplifies the profoundly groovy sound. Their ten-minute “It’s Not That Bad” touches on the history of organ jazz from Jimmy Smith to Medeski, Martin & Wood. The inclusion of the colossal performance makes Ground Level the year’s most robust Kansas City party album.

(Ground Level will be be available at streaming services on September 6. Green Lady Lounge hosts a vinyl and CD release party on Wednesday, October 2.)

Now’s the Time: OJT

The Prairie Village Jazz Festival provides a rare opportunity to experience OJT outside the dark confines of Green Lady Lounge. The organ jazz trio is likely to thrive in broad daylight at 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 9.

Confirmation: OJT

Ken Lovern’s organ jazz trio, commonly known as OJT, is the de facto house band of Green Lady Lounge. The good-time group’s next gig at Kansas City’s most popular jazz venue kicks in at 6 p.m. Friday, November 25.