April 30, 2007

From Lost to London

Harold Perrineau Jr. may be best known for his roles on television series like ABC's 'Lost' and HBO's 'Oz,' but the actor (born Harold Williams) ventures into new territory in the horror film '28 Weeks Later.' The sequel to the 2002 film '28 Days,' the new installment opens May 11, and also stars Idris Elba ('Daddy's Little Girls'), Catherine McCormack ('Braveheart' ), Jeremy Renner ('North Country') and Robert Carlyle ('The Full Monty').

The 43-year-old, Brooklyn-bred actor told me during our interview at the Soho Hotel in London, England where the film premiered last Thursday, that he shied away from horror films in the past, because he never wanted to internalize their subject matter. Perrineau said that because '28 Weeks Later' tackled some serious issues in the plotline, mainly dealing with the aftermath of a deadly infection breaking out in London, he agreed to embark on his first endeavor in the genre.

"Some of the other horror films, the reason I don't want that stuff in my brain is cause I find them quite often kind of pointless. Some of them are just chopping people up and doing crazy stuff like that. The difference with this one is that some of the stuff that is going on is already in my mind. War, disease, anger…all of those things is going on are already in my mind and in most people's minds. So that made it really, really interesting to me. So this idea that if AIDS could spread that quickly, could something else spread that quickly," explained Perrineau.

Though I jumped and ducked and screamed every few minutes watching the gory picture, I wanted to know if Perrineau found watching the movie as scary as I did in the quaint theater at the Fox Atomic building in London when he watched it for the first time. "This one I would have to say, I think [writer/director] Juan Carlos [Fresnadillo] just did a fantastic job, from beginning to the end. There's that really weird music underneath, that really tense kind of thing that's going on and you're like, 'what the (self censored) is going on here?' Even though I know what's going on and having been a part of it was still great," replied the star of the film 'The Best Man.'

'28 Weeks Later' deals with instantaneous decision making and the end result. Perrineau, who is married to Brittany Perrineau and has an adopted daughter, Aurora Robinson Perrineau, saw a disaster unfold firsthand and had to make instant decisions on the spot. "My daughter used to go to school in New York right near where the Twin Towers were. They were right there when the first plane hit. They were there and I was someplace else. So I get this call on the phone from my wife and she's all freaked out, 'A plane hit the trade center.' I'm like, 'Were you on the plane? Do you know anybody on the plane? Well why are you freaking out? Calm down,'" shared the actor. "As I am talking to her, I hear the second one go over. It's in that instance (snaps his fingers) that you go wait a minute, what the hell, here's what we do. You have to make those decisions. It's an instant decision. She's standing there trying to figure out what to do. She's got our daughter. Do you go home? Do you go there? You think about those things that come up in your life and what do you do."

Moving from New York City to Hawaii, where he shot 'Lost,' was quite a transition for Perrineau. "I am from New York so the first three months on a beautiful tropical island, you're like, 'Is this it? Is this paradise? That's it…surfing?' Then eventually you get used to the pace," he offered. But making the move from Hawaii to London was a breath of fresh air -- well minus all of the cigarette smoking-for the actor. "What was really great was to come here, because there's a pace that's really familiar for me. Tons of people out on the street and there's lots of energy and there's things happening at restaurants. That was a big difference for me," he laughed.

And for those 'Lost' fans who are interested in whether Perrineau's character Michael will return to the award-winning J.J. Abrams' drama, there's definitely hope. "For me, I don't know. I just sort of wait for them to call me up. It's like being in the secret service. 'The squirrel's landed and I show up in Hawaii,'" he laughed. "Michael is not dead so I actually find out in a few weeks if I am going to be returning this season or not. As it stands I don't know anything. But I like it that way because I can say: 'I don't know.'"

Music Notes

Dru Hill singers Woody Rock, Jazz and Scola are now performing as a new Bell Biv Devoe-style trio called 3 Da Hardway. Expect new music from the group soon. In addition, "Thong Song" singer and Dru Hill front man Sisqo, now sporting a blonde mohawk, is readying his third solo album, 'Last Dragon.' Group member Nokio continues to produce records.

Veteran R&B crooner Keith Sweat is slated to release his live concert CD and DVD, 'Sweat Hotel Live,' via Shout! Factory. Sweat, who now hosts a nationally syndicated 'Quiet Storm' radio show, sings all of his greatest hits on the 15-track compilation. The singer sometimes L.S.G. collaborator had surprise musical guests like Monica, Charlie Wilson, Akon and Teddy Riley. He was also reunited with groups he either started or produced like Silk, Athena Cage, Kut Klose, Jackie McGhee and Johnny Kemp. 'Sweat Hotel Live' hits stores June 12.

Mathew Knowles' Music World Entertainment is planning to re-release Chaka Khan's 'ClassiKhan' and The O'Jay's 'Imagination' CDs now that he has revamped his record label. Both albums were originally released on Sanctuary Records during Knowles tenure with that company, but we all know how that relationship ended. Both CDs will be available in retail stores and on iTunes starting May 15. On a personal note, Khan's 'ClassiKhan' is one of the most amazing CDs I've ever heard. A modern day music masterpiece!

Also in stores May 15 is Howard Hewett's new CD 'If Only.' The album, released on The Groove Records and distributed by Navarre Corporation, features production by talent such as George Duke, Gerald Albright, Marc Nelson, Nathan East and Ricky Lawson. "The songs on the album mean something. The reason I didn't put out a record sooner is because I didn't have much to say. Things are different now," explained Hewett, who is the former lead singer for the R&B outfit Shalamar (with Jody Watley and Jeffrey Daniels).

New and noteworthy on the independent scene is Gordon Chambers' 'Love Stories.' The sought-after songwriter (Anita Baker/Yolanda Adams/The Isley Brothers) and one-time journalist follows up his debut album, 'Introducing… Gordon Chambers' (a personal favorite of mine!), with this collection of love-inspired tunes. This adult contemporary crooner is at his best when tackling songs he originally penned for other artists-on 'Love Stories' he gives new life to his Brownstone hit "If You Love Me" and Heather Headley's "If It Wasn't For Your Love." To check out 'Love Stories' visit Chambers online at www.GordonChambers.com.

Also be sure to also check out Maurette Brown Clark's junior release 'The Dream,' already out on Malaco Records. The singer, who I call the Anita Baker of gospel music, is burning up the radio airwaves with a blazing single called "One God." … And don't forget about Jeremiah's jazz-fused collection 'Chasing Forever.' The set features a guest-appearance by Shanice on the track "Love for a While" as well as nine other avant garde smooth groove and adult contemporary gems. Get him at www.JeremiahOnline.com.

Buzzworthy

Remember back in February when I griped about BET's botched-up edit of the "Endow Me" performance of Coko featuring Fantasia, Lil Mo and Kierra "Kiki" Sheard on its annual 'Celebration of Gospel' special? Well BET is releasing 'Celebration of Gospel' on DVD for the first time come May 8, and they redeem themselves by featuring the full seven-minute version of Coko and her friends performing The Clark Sisters' classic. In addition to the televised performances of all of the artists including Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, Loretta Devine and The Caravans, the DVD also features a never-before-seen bonus performance by Kelly Price as well.

Now if the Black fraternities and sororities were ready to protest 'Stomp The Yard' before even seeing that positive film, imagine how they're going to feel now. Evan Ross ('Pride') will star in the upcoming film 'Burning Sands,' a controversial movie that will expose the physical and mental abuse of pledging an African-American fraternity. With an emphasis on the "hazing" intake process, this film is the first of its kind to tackle the topic. "Hazing is a universal dilemma not limited to any one race, creed or culture. This film will capture the systematic endurance of questionable activities and events that surround pledging a fraternity. Although some may regard this process as a badge of honor, and others may deem these activities solely as traditional rites of passage, it's time to show the true consequences of hazing," said film's director and writer D.K. Holmes. 'Burning Sands' also stars Elijah Kelley ('Take The Lead', Omar Benson Miller ('8 Mile'), Cory Hardrict ('Hollywood Horrors') and James Francis Kelly ('Rocky Balboa') and will feature choreographer by Dave Scott ('You Got Served' and 'Stomp The Yard').

'American Idol' finalist Nadia Turner, comic Joe Clair, Oscar-nominated actress Margaret Avery and jazz great Al Jarreau star in a new inspirational movie 'Lord Help Us.' The film is about a Baptist preacher who finds himself suddenly widowed after 32 years of marriage. The straight-to-DVD feature, which features performances by Melba Moore, hits stores May 8.

Can't Say Names…

Sources say a popular men's magazine is fuming mad with an R&B/pop star for backing out of hosting a party during the Kentucky Derby at the last minute. Said glossy is apparently scrambling to find a last minute replacement for the music chart-topper, though at press time things didn't look so good.