Search - Balligomingo :: Beneath the Surface

Beneath the Surface
Balligomingo
Beneath the Surface
Genres: Dance & Electronic, Pop
 
  •  Track Listings (12) - Disc #1

Fans of the celestial sounds of Enya and the lush trip-hop beats of Delerium and Enigma will love Balligomingo. Contrary to its Eastern-sounding name, Balligomingo is the baby of one Garrett Schwartz, a keyboardist-program...  more »

     
4

Larger Image

CD Details

All Artists: Balligomingo
Title: Beneath the Surface
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Windham Hill Records
Original Release Date: 1/1/2002
Re-Release Date: 6/11/2002
Genres: Dance & Electronic, Pop
Styles: Trip-Hop, Dance Pop
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
Other Editions: Beneath the Surface
UPCs: 019341160625, 019341166726, 828766099850

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Fans of the celestial sounds of Enya and the lush trip-hop beats of Delerium and Enigma will love Balligomingo. Contrary to its Eastern-sounding name, Balligomingo is the baby of one Garrett Schwartz, a keyboardist-programmer who collaborated with a variety of musicians for Beneath The Surface. Though purely a U.S. and Canadian affair, the music does create an ethereal air of mystery and tension not unlike that of Asian underground pioneer Nitin Sawhney's recent Prophesy (though Balligomingo is far less profound). The buoyant, atmospheric tracks of Surface include various female vocalists who extend the songs' allure, a live band treated to sound like sweet computer rhythms, and a 15-piece orchestra. Most of the songs flow together, sustaining the album's dream sequence mood like a long summer rain. Occasionally, the vocals border on teen-pop, but mostly they blend into the foreground, helping to advance Balligomingo's lush world-beat-and-tone poetry muse. --Ken Micallef

Similarly Requested CDs

 

CD Reviews

Finally - Balligomingo is here!
Clarissa | Ontario, California | 06/16/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been following Balligomingo for over a year now but it's been well worth the wait. This sonic soundscape of lush, female singing with ambient-pop and smooth electronic beats is enough to send anyone soaring, and we have Garrett Schwartz to thank for that. He is the master genious behind Balligomingo for most of this is surprisingly done on mixing sounds with a computer or programmer. The atmosphere is all so dreamy with downtempo chill-out amidst swirls of worldbeat and feminine lounge, but that's only part of the reason why Balligomingo is so effective in seducing the listener. The lyrics are steamy and hot while the singing is breathy and mysterious with artists such as Kristy Thirsk of Delerium and the Rose Chronicles getting us all sweaty and bothered on songs like the scorching "Heat". Even Bill Leeb & Chris Peterson of Delerium and Frontline Assembly co-produce to add their own ethereal touches. Jazz vocalist Beverley Staunton casts her spellbinding vocals on songs like "Falling" and "Lust" (which resonates deeper in bass than the others) while Camille Miller provide her vocals on the more familiar single "Lost" (which is featured on the Elevation 3 compilation) and Jennifer Hershman on my favorite track, "Sweet Allure". "Privelege" is another personal favorite with its wonderful string arrangments. I only wish that the song "Waiting" was on here which featured the vocals of kaRIN who sings with the electronic-goth group Collide. That song was featured on their sampler CD a while back, which I never received because of supplies running out. Overall, though, Balligomingo's BENEATH THE SURFACE is a worthy debut that will appeal to fans of Enigma, Enya, Zero 7, Delerium and Massive Attack.Hope my review was somehow helpful."
The most hidden gem in music history
Erik Cobbett | Portland, OR | 06/15/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I do not understand how an album of this magnitude can go so entirely unnoticed in the music world. But then again, Delerium's Poem would have fallen throught the cracks as well if not for the publicity Sarah maclachlan brought with it. it is a sad world we live in knowing ... artists like britney spears, eminem, and creed make millions and absorb all the spotlight, while envelope pushing, sonically in touch artists like balligomingo, delerium, and massive attack have no business on the radiowaves. This album is so tight, you will have a very hard time going a day without listening to at least one song. The lyrics and vocals are deeper than deep and the bass rich rythms drive each song right into your soul. The only act to hold a candle to the rich sounds of balligomingo would be any of the many associated with Bill Leeb, who by the way, had a little to do with this CD. Listen, enjoy, and prepare to leave the planet. Peace."
"FEELS LIKE I'M FLOATING THROUGH OPEN AIR..."
Soaring Heart | 08/23/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Does music find you? You aren't looking, and then BAM! You hear it, you freeze--motionless and speechless. BALLIGOMINGO is Awesome! It found me in this way and I hope it finds its way to you.What have we got here? I will attempt to describe it: oozing, dripping, sweeping, dreamy, haunting, mesmerizing, EUPHORIC music with stunning, perfectly matched/balanced to the music, and the BEST collaboration of female vocals swirling and soaring inside. (I must mention their names; each croons one song or more: Jody Quine, Beverely Staunton, Colleen Coadic, Jennifer Hershman, Jennifer Baldwin, Kristy Thirsk, and Camille Miller.) You'd think that would be more than enough, right? Wrong! You can top that off with deep, poetic lyrics that will blow your mind with their power. POWER. POWER IS HERE: BALLIGOMINGO. Sounds like a magic word, doesn't it? I believe it is!I rarely say this but I would personally like to meet the creator, Gary Schwarz, to thank him and shake his hand and even give him a hug for his Gift to us. Music is a precious gift and he has truly given freely and lavishly. I give this my highest recommendation. If you love Delerium and/or Dagda, you will not want to miss this. BALLIGOMINGO is actually unlike anything I have ever heard. Trust me--just buy it. I don't see how anyone couldn't love it. I have never ranked something perfect before. But BALLIGOMINGO gets a well deserved 10 of 10 stars.Soar!"