Have you ever purchased a CD because it just looked cool? Maybe you liked the provocative cover or the obnoxious colors of ink used in its printing. No one wants to make a public confession about such frivolous purchases, but some kind of internal resolution regarding this phenomenon will allow an individual to move onto the important issues in their life. And so, once you do come to terms with this genetic weakness that has somehow infiltrated your chromasomes, you'll want to check out the Ultra Lounge's Leopard Skin Fuzzy Sampler. If you need more ammo in your rationale for obtaining another CD that you like to look at, rumor has it that this CD was recognized in a national design contest for its outstanding packaging. Attributed to its soft feel, the Ultra Lounge Leopard Skin Fuzzy Samplermight possibly be the only CD in your collection that you can identify with your eyes closed.

Once you're over the visual/touchy-feely honeymoon with this CD package--including its elaborate collection of retro illustrations and photos, you may be surprised (and thus uncomfortable) that its music has a place in your life. Once again, though, you don't have to inform the general public if you're not ready to come out of the closet regarding these new and weird feelings you've suddenly developed for lounge music (wrapped in a sythnthesized leopard skin ensemble to boot). However, one pass through this compilation of the tackiest lounge hits imaginable, and you'll probably agree that this CD is a musical version of the Swiss Army Knife.

For example, the leopard skin fuzzy CD is perfect for playing on your portable when you're kicked back bagging some rays in a child's wadding pool you just purchased at WalMart-corn dogs should be somewhere in the vicinity of this scenario. And surely your friends would be impressed if this were playing in the background in your next martini party-polyester clothing mandatory. The Ultra Lounge Sampler could also throw a new twist to your love life the next time you need some "mood music" for a romantic encounter-however, all bets are off as to the outcome of this event. So, you have a road trip planned for Vegas; this music must be in the car when you go. As an extra bonus, pull off on some abandoned exit in the middle of the night when you're... say, 50 miles from Vegas and dance around the car in the darkness (headlights off, please!) to any one of these lounge hits. You can't go wrong. This will prime you for the Vegas scene so you have that "money look" upon your arrival.

And stop in on the Ultra Lounge Website, http://www.ultralounge.com, where you'll find groovy little quotes like this: "The neon above the door reads Ultra-Lounge. By walking through the door, you step back in time. Not too far back. Just a few decades. Back to a time when 'revolution' meant watering down your scotch with ice. Back to an era when 'evolution' meant taking out the olive and putting in an onion. When Generation X was a secret atomic weapon aimed at the White House by double agents and long-legged Russian girls whose names only Matt Helm could pronounce."

And just think: If this CD really does it for you, you can pickup all 12 volumes and appoint yourself as the lounge music resource person in your little circle of friends. Your life and your crib will never be the same.

The Ultra Lounge Sampler is comprised of two songs each from twelve different Ultra Lounge volumes-consider it Ultra Lounge's Greatest Hits.

"Swamp Fire" by Martin Denny: Reminiscent of some pagan ritual. You may be overcome with the need to perform a human sacrifice, but, please refrain-it's only lounge music.

"Voodoo Dreams/Voodoo" by Les Baxter: I wouldn't say this song reminds me of Voodoo--or Louisiana for that matter--but this song could have been used after Dorothy woke up in the land of Oz since it's so weird and dreamy.

"Taki Rari" by Yma Sumac: At one time, Yma Sumac must have been an opera singer but, it's obvious she gave her soul to lounge. Great horns.

"Glow Worm Cha-Cha-Cha" by Jackie Davis: One of my favorites on the whole CD. Steinbrenner should require this cut in Yankee Stadium during the 7th Inning Stretch. If you can't dance to this song, you can't dance.

"Holiday for Strings' by The Voices of Walter Schumann: Walter was institutionalized shortly after this recording because of the voices he kept hearing. (Sorry, I couldn't resist.) Many of these songs are abundant with the choral-like qualities of 50s TV shows and their commercials.

"Lonesome Road" by Dean Elliot and His Big Band: This is the song you'll want to play when you're dancing around the car prior to your raid on Las Vegas-remember, in the middle of nowhere, total darkness.

"Theme from Route 66" by Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra: The epitome of the young bachelor at the top of his game and the world is his sushi bar or something like that.

"Melancholy Serenade" by King Curtis: This might be the ringer if your date seems uncertain about kissing you.

"Jump, Jive An 'Wail" by Louis Prima: Watch out... something is gonna get broken.

"More" by Bobby Darin: Maybe not that wild but definitely cool and swingin'. A great song for dancing down the sidewalk in a downpour with your portable CD and headset. You won't be able to keep yourself from snapping your fingers.

"Girl Talk" by Howard Roberts: That perfect mood music. Your date will find you suddenly irresistible when this comes on-make sure the top is down in your car and you're just pulling into "Inspiration Point." Guaranteed Fireworks!

"Go Slow" by Julie London: This song isn't the follow up to "Girl Talk" by accidentÉ "Ooo-ooo honeyÉ "

"Peter Gunn Theme" by Ray Anthony: The first of two Mancini-classics is perfect for cruising Las Vegas Blvd at 1:30 in the morning on a Friday night.

"Search for Vulcan" by Leroy Holmes: Yeah, I guess this fits in with the "crime scene" theme. Close your eyes to this one and you can almost see our hero working his way slowly down some dark alley looking for the villain and his thugs.

Mancini's "Pink Panther Theme" by The Hollywood Studio Orchestra: It's as good a version of this number as any: featuring a swell saxophone solo.

April Stevens and "Teach Me Tiger." My favorite. I can't say enough about April and this song. Try setting your CD alarm clock (What, you don't have one?) so this song comes on to wake your overnight guest or visiting in-laws. They'll think they've died and gone off to dumb-blonde heaven. Makes you want to nickname yourself "Tiger." Wo, Wo, Wo, Wo... Wo!

"Cha-Cha De Amor" by Dean Martin. It wouldn't be a lounge music CD if there weren't at least one Dean'O song. A perfect snake dance song for around the outdoor deck.

"So Nice (Samba de Ver‹ o)" by Billy May: Reminds me of the music they would make the contestants in the sound-proof both listen to at the Miss America Beauty Pageant. Perfect music for a beauty salon while your hair is baked to a perfect perm.

"French Rat Race" by The Double Six of Paris : The Double Six (as in dominos?) blow Manhattan Transfer away!

"I Love Paris" by Jack Costanzo: Great bongos. A "We-must-dance" track.

"Rock House" by The Ernie Freeman Combo: A nice long track-perfect for roller skating backwards.

"Mr. Ghost Goes To Town" by The John Buzon Trio: A funky little number. You can dance with that person you're really not too crazy about, and they won't get the wrong idea when this song is playing. It's just too goofy.

"Bernie's Tune" by Curley Hamner/Milt Buckner: Just the fact that two guys named Curley and Milt did this is enough for me. Nice 50s guitar work along with the sax. This must have been the runner-up for the theme to Get Smart.

"Tanya" by Plas Johnson: This track was used for a lost episode of Bewitched. Darin had a rough day at the office and upon his arrival home, his ears were greeted by this song, and his eyes were met by Sam modeling her latest purchase of lingerie from Frederick's. Needless to say, dinner was served cold and shortly after, the screenwriters were working on Tabatha's lines.