Slightly biased, aware of what Jason Ecid does; which is everything macro-micro, telescopic mentality. He says in the liner-notes he "wanted people to walk away from the record saying - 'yeah I feel that way too'." Which is no easy task. To create something that is authentic while simultaneously drawing from universal wants, thoughts and emblems is the aesthetic summit each artist seeks to climb and light their candle from.

A teacher once asked us to define art. It was a trick question she said - as art was undefinable. At the time, and presently still, I do disagree. Art is a reflection, a projection - purely perception, yes - but it is through this which we are able to measure ourselves. Art's desire is to force ourselves to do exactly that, without forcing us; art causes us to grow and teaches to us build. 100 Smiles and Running both pre-empts universal feelings, describing what many have yet to know - while reshaping old memories in a new caste.

Damn It Feels Good To Be A Charmer,track 12, being at once a humble definition of fortitude through failure, and dedication to friends. "I lose a lotta fights, but still play to win it all. I fight for the people I love." President's Day, track 10, doubles as a vivid, highly structured, yet scathing re-imagining of modern man's affection for currency. These being 2 examples of what is a literate, cynical, sincere and honest collection of 14 tracks.

One does tend to like music made by people one knows more than people one doesn't; especially when it's good. So after rolling home drunk from a night of open mics, Rudolph's 241's, night caps at Lyle's with fresh copy of '100 Smiles and Running' in hand courtesy of Cheif1 - naturally I had to drop it in the stereo for a night light. Needless to say, after I got done laughing, smiling, & confronting my denial quietly with open ears, I had sweet dreams and felt like I too had grown up a little, 'cause yea, I feel that way too.

- Turd Ferguson