This composition is by my friend Mark Campellone, who gave me permission to create my own arrangement for posting on the Forum. I'd like you to learn a little about Mark, who turns out to be one of the most interesting people on the planet.

First, he is one of the elite luthiers (custom builders of arch-top acoustic jazz guitars) in the world. There can't be more than a dozen or so others that build instruments at this level. Take a look at some of Mark's gorgeous instruments: http://www.mcampellone.com/home.htm

That's the beginning. Mark is a uniquely talented guitarist as well, with a style that seems largely unrelated to any other player I've heard. Please watch and listen to something heartbreakingly beautiful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDAdvR2ag5I

If you watched that video you found out that Mark is a huge GRETSCH fan and he turned me into one. I got a Gretsch Synchromatic to use on the tunes where I play with my thumb. You'll hear it on this tune.

Finally, Mark is also a tremendous composer with a knack for unintuitive, yet accessible changes. There is never predictability in any of his compositions. He wrote the tune presented here (the title "Two Lines of Sight" is recent) 25 years ago using a 4 track cassette player and a Casio mini-keyboard: Stone Age technology, but the original still sounds great. Was there even such a thing as "Smooth Jazz" back then? I can't remember.

Aleck Rand plays lead and rhythm guitars, bass, and keyboard (intro and ending only). RT artists Jeff Lorber and Franklin (Third) Richardson handle, respectively, the main keyboard work and percussion.

Listen to TWO LINES OF SIGHT here: https://soundcloud.com/aleckrand/two-lines-of-sight

aleck,

This is my "so far favorite"!!! ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! A joy to listen to. What a wonderful piece! Your guitar work is sweet. Your bass really got my attention. Cool??...icy.

Loved it.

floyd

What else could I say?

Guenter

Smooth and cool. Lot of good stuff was preserved via those little 4 track machines. The guitar playing and tone is very nice.

Very nice! Smooth and cool. Really enjoy this one.

Steve

Ahhh, brings to mind candlelight and smooth slow dancing in a little out of the way place....romantic jazz.

Love it.

Thank you so much Josie, Floyd, Guenter, Steve, Janice and Bud for your kind remarks. We all have a superior composer to thank: Mark Campellone.

Man, you are the real deal. Another great one. Thanks for sharing.

Regarding smooth jazz, could George Benson be said to be its progenitor? If so, it began back in the 70s. Your production reminds me of those days, complete with phase shifters and string synths.

hi aleck great job your guitar work sings excellent work thanks for shareing eric

Hi, Aleck !

I may be wrong but to me this
sounded like ambient jazz with
Wes Montgomerian type of inlays
on guitar ? I just love this kind
of music. The peaceful ambient
mood that carries one away back
to better times. Kudos to everyone
involved !!::)

Cheers
Dani