MCA Expected to Announce Reorganization

MCA Music Entertainment Group Chairman Doug Morris is expected to announce a reorganization today that will include the appointment of Melvyn R. Lewinter as vice chairman of the record company and Zack Horowitz as president.

The move comes just 12 days after Morris took over the reins of MCA Inc.’s music operations after the sudden ouster of former chairman Al Teller. MCA is 80% owned by Seagram Co.

Morris is also expected to install Jay Boberg, the 39-year-old head of MCA’s music publishing division, as president of the firms’ anemic flagship label, MCA Records, succeeding Richard Palmese, who quit under pressure one week ago.

Sources said the new management team is also likely to overhaul MCA Records’ much-maligned artist and repertoire division in the weeks ahead but that few other jobs are in jeopardy at the Universal City-based company.

In addition, Rising Tide Entertainment, the New York-based joint venture label MCA launched last summer with Morris, is expected to be renamed Universal and be combined with MCA’s New York-based Uptown Entertainment, home to such R&B; stars as Jodeci and Mary J. Blige.

The new company, which sources said may be called Uptown Universal, will be wholly owned by MCA. Sources said current Uptown chief Heavy D. is likely to stay at the helm.