Impose Magazine
“Making a case for our best new music list two years running. Be Bad Pt.1 is a climb to greater heights of foot jiving as the sample mashing will take those feetsies from a two-step to James Brown-esque hot potato-shucking. The flipside is a journey into funk’s infiltration into the poly-rhythms of Egyptian and Middle Eastern belly dance styles.”
Better-Blends.com
“One of the funkiest mixes that I’ve heard in years. There are moments in these mixes where you will say to yourself ‘That’s like some scene music from Coffy or Truck Turner, right?’”
TGIFJams.com
“Ill Mondo are back for round two of their triumphant careers here on the jamz and deliver a perfect party mix. More of an instrumental mashup/sample session, this whopping 12 minute track could just be what you were looking for. The truth of Oaktown presented via hip hop beats and carefully extracted 70’s licks.”
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.”