The Underground Concert Series in Maplewood certainly got its "groove" back this past weekend.

Kicking off the Fall 2002 season with a return engagement by the dynamic GrooveLily, organizer Jamie Ross delivered a high-octane premiere in the basement of the Maplewool: Memorial Library. Comprised of keyboardist Brendan Milburn, electric violinist Valerie Vigoda and drummer Gene Lewin, this innovative trio took no prisoners in a super-charged performance. Performing a fusion of rock, folk and jazz, this band brought down the house.

Leading off with "The Odometer Song," Milburn wailed on his keyboard while Vigoda used her entire body in playing violin, connecting with the audience as she moved about the intimate playing space. Utilizing an effective breathiness in her vocal quality, Vigoda kept things moving with "Breathe In, Breathe Ouf" making her violin sound like an electric guitar in the solo break, which rocked the house.

Vigoda's haunting violin work was also featured on "Shannon," while Lewin supplied almost-tribal percussion to the Celtic-inspired tune.

Milburn once again shone on "Looking Forward to Looking Back," a semi-autobiographica1 song based on the time when Vigoda, his wife, was touring with "name" musicians.

Vigoda introduced "Coming Home" by saying, "I'd like to dedicate this song to Joni Mitchell, who made it OK to sing soprano in pop." She then went into a beautiful ballad which floated effortlessly off her voice. After the rockin' feel she provided with her violin on the previous numbers, its absence here only served to underscore the inherent sweetness of this song.

The remainder of the evening was a textbook example of GrooveLily's eclectic repertoire. The driving "Little Nemesis" was easily Vigoda's standout moment in the first set, with a violin solo that rivaled the guitar work of some of rock's greats. "Amazing" is the only word to describe her performance on this number.

The very intelligent lyrics of "No Room in Your Bag" were brought to life by Milburn, who effectively and judiciously brought a rough edge to his voice here and there throughout the song.

Vigoda and Lewin jammed on their respective solos in "Apocalyptic Love Song," making for an incredible break section. Lewin, who usually remained behind Milburn and Vigoda, moved to the fore singing lead on "Diva Girl," a humorously self-aware ditty, and "Day of Reckoning," to which he contributed a sizzlin' scat break.

The first encore, "You Inhabit My Heart," paired a beautiful vocal line carried by Vigoda, a poignant violin solo and a rapturous piano accompaniment and solo. This was a thoroughly evocative number.

From the funky "It' s Alright" to the passionate "Captain of a Ship on Fire" to the jazzy "Hole," the evening was filled with an array of sounds and styles, all of which fit the three musicians like a glove. Vigoda's impressive vocal range took her to the downand-dirty depths and up into the higher reaches with equal effectiveness, and her violin work added a truly unique feel to the music. Milburn's keyboard playing was at once jazzy, honky-tonky and reminiscent of oldtime rock 'n' roll. The tight harmonies, in both the vocals and accompaniment, drove the musical tension over the edge, making for a galvanizing night.

For the final encore, "Sitting on a Fence," all three had their moments in the sun. Lewin started the song off with a great drum solo, and the break section featured a dynamite call-and-answer jam by Vigoda and Milburn.

Filling the spaces between songs with very witty patter, the trio extolled the virtues of the "Quality Music Revolution" and plugged their upcoming stage show: "Striking 12," an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Match Girl" which will debut in Philadelphia in December with an all-GrooveLily score.

While area music lovers will have to wait until at least the spring series to enjoy GrooveLily in Maplewood again, the Underground Concerts will continue most Saturdays until Nov. 30. If the remaining acts are only half as good as GrooveLily, this promises to be one dynamite lineup!

For information on the Underground Concert Series, see the "Concerts" listing in the Stepping Out calendar on Page B6, Tirkets are available online at www.undergroundconcerts.com and in Maplewood at Sweets & Treats Bakery, the Robin Hutchins Gallery and the Tamaya del Sol Cafe.