INDUSTRY CHATTER: A&M; Records executives are trying...

INDUSTRY CHATTER: A&M; Records executives are trying to calm employees’ fears about more dismissals in the wake of the recent exit of Miller London, who had headed the company’s urban music division, followed by last week’s firing of four of the divisions 12 staffers. The company will, though, restructure the division to make the most of the resources of Perspective Records, the joint venture between A&M; and the Jimmy Jam/Terry Lewis writing-producing team. The new moves will not affect Tuff Break, A&M;’s 2-month-old hip-hop wing, which currently has a rap hit from Tragedy, the Intelligent Hoodlum. . . .

Virgin Music Publishing president Kaz Utsonomiya is set to take the top spot in Virgin Records’ A&R; department, currently being overhauled by president Phil Quartararo. Utsonomiya--whose publishing coups include Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots and Porno for Pyros--has previously denied reports that he would be making the move, but inside sources say it’s a done deal. . . .