AND NOW HERE’S THE NEWS: Everybody has...

AND NOW HERE’S THE NEWS: Everybody has been waving Old Glory lately, so it came as no surprise to hear that Rick James has retitled his upcoming album “The Flag” (it was formerly known as “Secrets”). But don’t worry--James isn’t taking the new patriotism all that seriously. He says his banner is red, green and black--”the freak flag.” The first single from the record, which is being billed as a return to James’ old funk glory days, is out this week, titled “Sweet and Sexy Thing.” . . . Meanwhile, James proteges the Mary Jane Girls have recut the Four Seasons hit, “Walk Like a Man.” It’ll be on the upcoming sound-track album from “A Fine Mess,” a Blake Edwards comedy due out in August. . . . And speaking of sound tracks: ex-Tube Fee Waybill will handle the title track of “Running Scared,” an MGM comedy starring Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines that opens June 27. . . . And how’s this for an odd couple--Branford Marsalis appears on “Sunny Skies,” a track on the new Teena Marie album “Emerald City.”