Ill Mondo / Neal Rames
DEBUT ALBUM OUT NOW!!
Ill Mondo is a hip-hop production team and record label based in the SF bay area. Jeff has been producing albums for Wide Hive Records under the name JRK. Johnny was 1/3 of the electronic rock project, mus-ok. They met at 101 Records in SF, where Jeff works. They hit it off talking about 70’s prog rock records and decided to start a production team shortly after.
The album is a collaboration between the SF-based production team, Ill Mondo, and the LA rapper, Neal Rames. Neal Rames and Jeff have a history together, having collaborated on albums together in the past. Neal's hard-edged but smooth lyrical style fits perfectly with the timeless production of Ill Mondo.
The record features legendary hip-hop artists Percee P (Stones Throw), Prince Po (of Organized Konfusion), Sean Price (of Boot Camp Clik) and mix of local professional musicians including Mike Rinta of Tower of Power. This collaborative effort is the debut release from Ill Mondo Records and showcases the unique sound of the label.
Ill Mondo is influenced equally by hip-hop legends like DJ Shadow and Mobb Deep, and also by classic 70’s producers like David Axelrod. The album was recorded and mixed on all vintage gear which gives a unique timeless quality, rare in modern hip-hop.
Dusty drum breaks are coupled with blazing live Hammond organ and distorted wah-pedal guitar, supported by string sections and funky horn arrangements. A modern groove with a nostalgic twist, or vice versa.
HiphopDX.com | 3.5 / 5 Self-titled
“If you love Beastie Boys’ Paul’s Boutique chances are you’ll find something to like in the new record from Ill Mondo and Neal Rames. It’s a thrill to hear extremely skilled musicians create a track from spare parts and emcees that are having fun playing with words with little care for current trends. This record is thoroughly enjoyable and worth your time.”
Treblezine.com | Self-titled
“Rames’ confident flows come from an old school approach, while Ill Mondo drops some outrageously funky production. Ill Mondo steals the show with their organic, crackly, bass-heavy beats. This is, quite simply, one of the funkiest things I’ve heard all year, and that makes it pretty fantastic.”
MP3 featured on TGIFJams.com | Self-titled
Ill Mondo / Neal Rames – I Know Right is featured on TGIFJams’ Thanksgiving playlist as “The Cranberry Sauce: a perfect addition to any musical meal.”
Interview with Rago Magazine (UK) |
"What tips and pointers do you have for rappers just coming into the game? Just do your thing and be true to it. Trend hopping or bending your own style just cheapens yourself and the music, and people can tell. If you’re authentic and develop your own sound and style, I think people really respond to that."
Interview with Rago Magazine (UK) |
"What tips and pointers do you have for rappers just coming into the game? Just do your thing and be true to it. Trend hopping or bending your own style just cheapens yourself and the music, and people can tell. If you’re authentic and develop your own sound and style, I think people really respond to that."
Impose Mag - Best of 2009 | #26 Self-titled
"Neal Rames / Ill Mondo's self-titled joint on Circle Into Square was the indie hip-hop surprise debut of the year, for "Gold Rush" and "Natalie Moore" alone. "
Impose Magazine | Self-titled
“It’s always reassuring when a crew can show up and make heads take notice based solely on the verbal spit and production grit. It’s an amalgamation of deep crates, dusty fingers, and confident wordplay that may stun you upon first listen. There’s always one album each year that completely catches you off-guard and ends up being one of your favorites. Ill Mondo and Neal Rames could claim that distinction for 2009."
Racketmag.com | 7/10 Self-titled
"It’s always good to get a Hip Hop record that cares more about lyricism and expression than creating dance cuts and “getting that dolla." Ill Mondo’s production, coupled with Neal Rames’ fluid vocals wind their way through a variety of tempos and styles... It sure will find it’s way onto my party mixes"
Amoeba Blog, Billy Jam | Self-titled
"And for the best new album cover art tribute to a bygone era album cover, Ill Mondo & Neal Rames‘ self-titled debut wins hands down for its nice reworking of Joe Jackson’s post-punk/new wave 1979 debut Look Sharp"
Interview with Platform8470 | Self-titled
Exclusive Interview Excerpt: "Ill Mondo's music is packed with funky live instruments and prog rock references. For their debut album, they collaborated with promising rapper Neal Rames, who, alongside Percee P, Prince Po and Sean P, easily tackled the particular production..."
Grindmodeconnect.com | Self-titled
"With a rich and deep feel the production compares to the best moments on Beastie Boys’ ‘Check Your Head.’ Neal Rames’ lyrical ability as he flips a style that would not be out of place on a Hieroglyphics album. Underground? Yes. Independent? Yes. Quality? No doubt. Don’t sleep.”
Fishandspaghetti.com | 3/5 Self-titled
“Neal Rames displays deft wordplay and a flow that is remarkable; he sounds very natural over Ill Mondo’s funky soundscapes.”
Rapreviews.com | 7/10 Self-titled
“Ill Mondo lays down a soulful mixture of horns and somber R&B over the tom-tom percussion… Neal Rames has definitely got that laid back Californian vibe. This album’s got enough good going for it to get my recommendation.”
Potholesinmyblog.com | 3.5/5 Self-titled
“Funky production with plenty of live instrumentation pepper the tracks that the capable Neal Rames handle with ease; Ill Mondo and Neal Rames should be applauded for making a record that retains a soulful, musical bent yet stays firmly rooted in Hip Hop’s core. This LP is one of the pleasant surprises in 2009 to date.”
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