Ever wonder what an Italian film score sounds like? Yeah? Well how about Italian scores from erotic films? Even if you haven’t seen an Italian erotica, these scores are great for every lounge music lover (pun intended). “Beat At Cinecitta” is a music score compilation from, you guessed it, raunchy and erotic Italian films from the 60′s and 70′s. Italian composers such as Piero Piccioni and Riz Ortolani are featured in three great volumes.

There are many variations in the music with slow spy like tracks to fast paced melodies. Keyboards, drums and brass instruments of all kind pop up in and between the tracks. I think you may even hear an organ in there somewhere. My favorite tracks are “Bada Caterina” and “Abigaille” from Beat At Cinecitta Volume 1. All the soundtracks are fun, creative and wild. You can’t go wrong with these instrumental albums. You’ll fall in love.

The Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington is nearing the end of a temporary exhibit called “Style in the Aisle: Flight Attendant Fashion.” The exhibit first began in 2008 and has become so popular that the museum has added new uniforms to the exhibit. Travel Channel has a great photo compilation of “Style in the Aisle” with captions describing each of the photos. The exhibit shows fashions from the mid-1930′s to today’s current fashions and will end May 30, 2011. Some larger photos can be seen at Amusing Planet. There are only a couple weeks left before it’s too late!

Dave Pike has created this swell recording for all those swingin’ bachelors. Herbie Hancock plays the keyboard along side Dave Pike’s vibraphone. Bobby Hebb had wrote “Sunny” and introduced it in this album, which was later released for hundreds of additional recordings. This album reminds me a little of Cal Tjader, who was the creator of Acid Jazz. Some of my favorite recordings are “Blind Man, Blind Man,” “Jet Set”, and “Devilette.” Jazz for the Jet Set is really boss! I highly recommend it for your next cocktail party!

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For all those photographers out there, the time has come. A high-end retro camera is in your near future. The Fujifilm FinePix X100 not only has a beautiful retro design, it also contains classic features that many will appreciate. It will sport a hybrid view-finder, which will have a window-type “bright frame” optical viewfinder similar to classic 135-size cameras incorporated with an electronic viewfinder system.

The proportions of a fixed high-performance 23mm large F2 aperture lens fashions nicely with the camera body. The 12.3 Megapixel sensor and processor, and ISO range of 100 to 6400 will perform like many DSLR cameras but in a more beautiful compact size. It will even shoot HD movies, too! And yes, it will capture 12-bit RAW images (for those who want that extra image control and adjustments).

The FinePix X100 digital camera will be available in March 2011, and will have a suggested retail price at $1,199.95.

A well known Brazilian singer, Elis Regina, born on March 17, 1945 would have been 65. She unfortunately died very young at the age of 36 on January 19, 1982.  Regina is most notable for singing Bossa Nova music. Elis Regina began her singing career at the age of 11 and released her first album when she was 16 years old. She had released around 30 albums between 1961 and 1982. Regina’s beautiful voice was very gentle and creative – sounding like a distinctive instrument within the music. Over one thousand fans had gone to visit her glass casket to pay their last respects to this wonderful Brazilian pop singer.

Electrify your Christmas music mix with some Hammond organ sounds! Jimmy Smith originally was a pianist and later became an organist in the early 50’s. Smith signed on with Verve Records in the 60’s and had the opportunity to collaborate with the great Lalo Schifrin and Wes Montgomery. Don’t be mistaken; Jimmy Smith’s style is not your typical funeral or church organ music. His jazz tempo is much more lively on the electric organ, which later became more popular due to his new style – fast paced and be-boppin’.

Jimmy Smith’s album, Christmas 64, has recognizable Christmas songs with a Hammond organ twist. Smith’s fast fingers rip through the organ – adding spice to songs like Jingle Bells, We Three Kings and The Christmas Song. One of my favorite songs is White Christmas. It slowly begins with some brass instrument and transitions into percussions. As you patiently listen, you’ll soon recognize the Hammond organ sneak into the rhythm of the song.

Turn up Christmas 64 as you mingle with friends and family this holiday season, sipping that delicious glass of eggnog (spiked with rum perhaps?).