Ultraviolet Hippopotamus/Dead Ahead

Cleveland’s jam band crowd is a small but dedicated force. And every week or so, a top-notch regional band comes through our fair city to throw down a set or two of mind-bending music. UV Hippo is a unique nod to the more groove-oriented, experimental side of the jam scene. Last fall’s three-track Broomhilda Suite shows just how expansive the band’s sound has become since Songs For The Reaper dropped a scant five years ago. The latter, nonetheless, remains a timeless testament to summertime groovin’ and head-bobbin’ melody-makin’. There’s emotion — real feeling — behind the music and the lyrics. Thankfully, the band hails from nearby Michigan, meaning they happen to chance by Cleveland more often than not (most often, as of late, as an opening act). But that doesn’t mean tonight’s gig is any less special. Hell, anytime you can catch a UV Hippo show, you truly should. (Eric Sandy)