ALL THE RAGE: It’s been years since...

ALL THE RAGE: It’s been years since obscure jazz legend Little Jimmy Scott had a record contract--and far too long since Little Richard has made a new album. But both music greats have new contract offers from Warner Bros. Records, thanks to their performances on the upcoming “A Rage in Harlem” soundtrack album, due May 14 from Sire Records. The action-comedy, which stars Robin Givens, Gregory Hines, Danny Glover and Forest Whittaker, is set in mid-’50s Harlem. It’s a perfect era for the soundtrack’s period music, which includes Little Walter’s “Juke,” Chuck Berry’s “Brown Eyed Handsome Man,” Johnny Ace’s “Pledging My Love” and Howlin’ Wolf’s “I Asked for Water (She Gave Me Gasoline).”

But Andy Paley, the soundtrack’s producer, says the real fun was recording new material with legends like Richard (who performs a new song called “Elevator Operator”), Scott, LaVern Baker and gospel crooner Darryl Pandy. “Working with Little Richard was fabulous,” says Paley, who also did the period music for “Dick Tracy” and “Shag.” “He came down and we cut his song in one day. He was a total ham, kidding around with everybody. He even arrived all dressed up--hair, makeup and everything. It was like he was shooting a video instead of making a record.”