AND NOW HERE’S THE NEWS: Peter Gabriel,...

AND NOW HERE’S THE NEWS: Peter Gabriel, whose powerful “Biko” tribute has been re-released as a live 12-inch single (with proceeds going to the International Defense and Aid Fund for Southern Africa), will be at work on another movie project soon. He’s agreed to handle the music for “The Passion,” Martin Scorsese’s long-awaited (and long delayed) biographical film (originally known as “The Last Temptation of Christ”). . . . Does the Pet Shop Boys’ “It’s a Sin” really sound like Cat Stevens’ “Wild World?” Jonathan King thinks so--and King (yes, the gent of “Everyone’s Gone to the Moon” fame) has attempted to prove it by releasing a new version of “Wild World,” using the arrangement from the Pet Shop Boys’ current hit. The single is available on Rhino Records, which has thoughtfully included King’s previous pop sleuth work--his version of “He’s So Fine” with an arrangement of George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord”--on the B-side of the 45. . . . Robyn Hitchcock is back--and A&M; Records has got ‘im. Hitchcock’s new album, “Globe of Frogs,” will be out Feb. 2, featuring such pop exotica as “Chinese Bones,” “Flesh No. 1,” “Tropical Flesh Mandela” and “Devil Mask.” Expect a tour later in the spring.