NEWS NOTES: I.R.S. Records will lose ...

NEWS NOTES: I.R.S. Records will lose another of its top acts when the Fine Young Cannibals shift to MCA Records for their next album. MCA distributes I.R.S., and co-released the band’s current Top 10 album “The Raw & the Cooked.” The folks at I.R.S. must be getting used to building acts only to see them leave for other labels. Belinda Carlisle shifted to MCA in 1987, while R.E.M. sought greener pastures at Warner Bros. Meanwhile, I.R.S. is starting up its own marketing and promotion departments, though MCA will continue to press and distribute its product in the U.S.

Geffen Records recently landed three albums in the Top 10 simultaneously--two by Guns N’ Roses and one by Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians. But that may just be a warm-up for what promises to be a white-hot summer and fall for the label. Don Henley’s first album in four years is due in June, to be followed in July by Whitesnake’s first album since its 1987 blockbuster, which sold more than 5 million copies in this country. Also due from Geffen in June: Cher’s latest, featuring her Top 30 duet with Peter Cetera from “Chances Are,” and the first solo album by Maria McKee. Aerosmith’s follow-up to “Permanent Vacation” is slated for fall release.

Carly Simon’s first album since her Oscar-winning “Let the River Run” from “Working Girl,” is due this fall. Smokey Robinson and Davitt Sigersen (who did the honors on the current Bangles hit) will each produce half of the album, Simon’s studio follow-up to the platinum “Coming Around Again.”