MOVIN’ AND GROOVIN’: Elvis Costello, who’s spent...

MOVIN’ AND GROOVIN’: Elvis Costello, who’s spent his entire pop career at CBS Records, has left for greener pastures--more specifically, Warner Bros. Records. After Costello’s contract expired, there were some negotiations with CBS, but apparently Costello was eager to make a fresh start at a new label. He’s been a longtime critics’ fave, but his past few records have been poor sellers, averaging only about 150,000 per album. According to Warners A&R; exec Michael Ostin, who was a major force in the signing, Costello will begin writing new songs after he completes his present college tour. “We think he’s a great songwriter who’s still in his prime,” said Ostin, who added that it’s likely Costello could have a new album out by the first of the year. If you can’t wait till then, check the import bins for a new Costello single, “A Town Called Big Nothing,” which Costello has released using the moniker the Mac Manus Gang. (The song features Elvis’ dad, Ross Mac Manus, on trumpet.) . . . And just when you thought the record industry had run out of things to hype, along comes Safe Sex. RCA Records has sent out 1,000 promotional prophylactics to help tout its Kool Moe Dee dance hit, “Go See the Doctor.” Each condom package features a sketch of Dee, the record title and a warning that “the proper use of a condom can help reduce the risk of contracting the AIDS virus.” So far, Dee’s self-titled album has sold more than 200,000 copies.