Ill Mondo – Bay Area Production – Est. 2009
MP3 PLAYER
2 Fold (feat Percee P) [DIRTY]
No Knot Never (with Neal Rames)
Suicide Doors (feat Sean Price) [DIRTY]
ABOUT ILL MONDO
DEBUT ALBUM OUT NOW!!
Get the MP3s from iTunes
Get the CD directly from Ill Mondo at CIS
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.
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. They record and mix on all vintage gear which gives their music a unique timeless quality, rare in modern hip-hop.
Their debut release features LA rapper Neal Rames, legendary guests like Percee P, Prince Po, Sean Price and mix of local professional musicians including Mike Rinta, who played for Sly Stone. 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.
E-MAIL ILL MONDO: ILLMONDOMUSIC@GMAIL.COM
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: TWITTER.COM/ILLMONDO
UPDATES
February 7th, 2010
Been a minute since the last update so I wanted to keep you in the loop. We’re going back in the studio today (whoops, forgot it was Superbowl) to lay down some keyboard parts. The next couple releases are shaping up nice and we should have some new material soon!
January 20th, 2010
Just noticed this write-up in the German blog, Beats, Rhymes & Life. Not sure exactly what it says, but the Google Translate is hilarious! Anyway, thanks man!
January 9th, 2010
Platform8470 asked us to participate in a small year-end wrap up interview. Check it out here
January 7th, 2010
Nice review from Cool’eh Magazine! “Gold Rush shot way up on my list of favorite Cali Hip-Hop tracks of the last decade.” Full review here
January 4th, 2010
Urbnet Magazine gave us a great review, 4 out of 5! Click here for the full review
January 2nd, 2010
We got a nice review from HiphopDX. They compare the album to Paul’s Boutique, which is one of our all-time favorites and a huge influence. Thanks for the good word! Click here for the full review
Here’s a few links again if you want to support us by purchasing the album. You can get it at all major online retailers like iTunes and Amazon, and you can buy the physical CD from Amazon or from our webstore at CIS. We really appreciate your support!
Get the CD at Circle into Square
December 7th, 2009
Ill Mondo / Neal Rames got #26 on the list of Impose Magazine’s Best New Music of 2009 and a nice shout from Lost at Sea Magazine. Thanks!!
December 2nd, 2009
We moved up on the CMJ Hip-Hop Charts to #9!! Huge thanks to Terrorbird and all the stations supporting us!
November 12th, 2009
Ill Mondo debuts on the CMJ Hip-Hop Chart at #17!
Not too bad for the first week. Let’s break top 10!
November 2nd, 2009
Sean Price’s new mixtape, Kimbo Price is out! Ill Mondo did the beat for “Suicide Doors” so show your man some love and get that CD! Duck Down Records
PRESS
HiphopDX.com – 3.5/5
“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. Ill Mondo is obviously in love with ’70s Rare Groove and it’s a joy to listen to the duo ground their tracks in heavy bass and crisp drums and then slather organ riffs and horn stabs over top of it all. 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.”
Impose Magazine
“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.”
Treble Zine
“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.”
Cool’eh Magazine
“If you listen to Neal Rames tell it, Cali is still the place to be. Gold Rush shot way up on my list of favorite Cali Hip-Hop tracks of the last decade. There is still some good things happening out West.”
Grindmodeconnect.com
“With a rich and deep feel the production certainly stands out as funky guitar and lush keys seep through the beats. Compares to the best moments on The Beastie Boys’ ‘Check Your Head.’ Neal Rames’ lyrical ability would not be out of place on a Hieroglyphics album. If hip-hop was judged purely on musical quality, ‘Neal Rames and Ill Mondo’ would be flying off the shelves. Underground? Yes. Independent? Yes. Quality? No doubt. Don’t sleep.”
Potholesinmyblog.com – 3.5/5
“Funky production with plenty of live instrumentation pepper the tracks that the capable Neal Rames handle with ease; the melding of minds retains a purity somewhat missing in today’s climate. 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 more pleasant surprises in 2009 to date.”
Urbnet Magazine – 4/5
“A successful collaboration that mines the past to create a new, exciting hip hop release. Ill Mondo create a funky 70s vibe to go with Rames’ 90s style. Their debut demonstrates how well they work together. Fans of Percee P and Edan would be wise to keep an eye out for their work.”
RapReviews – 7/10
“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
Aightgenossen.ch (Germany)
“Neal Rames and Ill Mondo provide a mix of Eric B & Rakim, and Dilated Peoples. New York City meets the West Coast, pop locking, break dance hits, Snoop Dogg meets Slick Rick.”
Racket Magazine – 7/10
“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 as fuck will find it’s way onto my party mixes”
Bluesandsoul.com Review
“Absolutely every track on this album is worth repeated listening. The Ill Mondo production is consistently funky throughout, utilizing real instruments and samples expertly with a RZA like precision while still maintaining a relaxed Cali style.”
FishandSpaghetti.com – 3/5
“Neal Rames displays deft wordplay and a flow that is remarkable. The other stand out on the disc is the production by Ill Mondo. They have a very funky sound that reminds me of the soundtrack to a blaxploitation film, married to the Barney Miller theme song (hotness) without sounding corny. It doesn’t overpower Rames and he sounds very natural over Ill Mondo’s soundscapes.”
ELSEWHERE
Impose Magazine’s Best New Music of 2009:
Ill Mondo / Neal Rames got #26 on Impose Mag’s Best New Music of 2009 list. You can even download a song from their player at the bottom of the page.
Rago Magazine (UK): Exclusive Interview
Excerpt: “What’s more important a mixtape of jacked beats or a single on original production?
Its two different things. I love original production if it’s good, but mixtapes are a hip-hop tradition and I want to see that continue also. We’re actually working on mixtapes with B-sides, remixes and acapella blends.”
MP3 featured on TGIFJams.com
Ill Mondo / Neal Rames – I Know Right is featured on TGIFJams’ Thanksgiving playlist as “The Cranberry Sauce: a perfect addition to any musical meal.”
Artist Feature in Juice Magazine (Germany):
Sascha Weigelt gave us a great write-up in the German hip-hop magazine, Juice. Thanks man!!
Shout from UGSMAG.com
“The self-titled album is out now and features legendary guys ready to rock the mic like Percee P, Prince Po, and Sean Price.” Thanks for the link!
Shout from Hiphopdx.com
“Bay area collective Ill Mondo has teamed up with Los Angeles based emcee Neal Rames for a 70’s inspired Hip Hop project.” Thanks for the love guys!!
Ill Mondo on DJ Premier’s radio show
Ill Mondo / Neal Rames feat Sean Price – Suicide Doors on DJ Premier’s XM radio show “Live from HQ.” You can hear the track at 59 minutes!
Ameoba Blog:
Billy Jam posted on the Ameoba Blog:
“And for the best new album cover art tribute to a bygone era album cover, Ill Mondo & Neal Rames‘ self-titled debut (dropping digitally on Nov 17) on Ill Mondo Records wins hands down for its nice reworking of Joe Jackson’s post-punk/new wave 1979 debut Look Sharp on A&M/Polygram.”
Joe Jackson - Look Sharp!
Platform 8470 HipHopZine Exclusive Interview
Excerpt: “The story of Jeff and Johnny from Oakland began at a record store. This couldn’t have taken place at a more symbolic place. Their 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…”
Platform 8470 HipHopZine Year End Wrap Up
Excerpt: “We’re wrapping up a couple mega-mixes, that we’ll release for free online, along with a video, so look for that in the next couple months. We should have a constant stream of material coming out next year, so keep your eye on the website!”
Circle Into Square Records
Digitally Distributed through Circle Into Square. Click here for more info, pictures, and soon, purchase through the CIS webstore!
Terrorbird Media
Big thanks to Terrorbird for the great radio campaign!
Ill Mondo on Myspace
Myspace is dying a slow, horrible death, but everyone still has to have a Myspace page…
Neal Rames on Myspace
LA-based MC, Neal Rames. Ill Mondo’s debut album is a split with this fine gentleman, show him some love!