SMALL FACES: The contract bidding for ZZ...

SMALL FACES: The contract bidding for ZZ Top is apparently heating up after all. Word is that two East Coast labels have submitted bids that would rank the Texas trio among the biggest artists in terms of per-album advances. And insiders speculate that Warner Bros., which retains the rights to the group’s catalogue, will enter the bidding with a substantial package offer covering past and future releases. But no deal is expected to be signed for several months, at least. . . .

Vince Neil has recorded his first solo single since being fired from Motley Crue. The song, “You’re Invited but Your Friend Can’t Come,” was written by and recorded with Damn Yankees’ Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades and will be featured in the upcoming film comedy “Encino Man,” starring Pauly Shore. . . .

Among the songs on INXS’ upcoming album, “Wherever You Are,” is “Baby Don’t Cry,” which was recorded with a 60-piece orchestra. The album is due in stores on June 2. . . .

The video for Richard Marx’s next single, “Take This Heart,” will center around a baseball fantasy of the singer at bat in the bottom of the ninth with a 3-2 count against ace Oakland reliever Dennis Eckersley. The sequence, with play-by-play from Bob (Front Row) Uecker, was filmed last month during spring training at Mesa, Ariz. More footage will be shot Thursday at the Oakland Coliseum, with other A’s expected to do cameo roles. . . .

Paul Simon’s “Still Crazy After All These Years” is among the songs being recorded by Ray Charles for his next album, which is currently being produced in Los Angeles by Richard Perry and Benny Medina. . . .

If second-generation popsters Wilson Phillips won’t do, get ready for Baker Phillips. The power trio, which is recording its debut for Scotti Brothers Records, features drummer Cofi Baker, son of former Cream drummer Ginger Baker, and (on the record only) bassist Malcolm Bruce, son of Cream bassist Jack Bruce, along with guitarist Rue Phillips. Scotti Brothers staffers have nicknamed the band Milque.