POP/SNEAK PEEK : CY CURNIN'S FIXX ON MUSIC HISTORY.

Byline: - Fred Shuster

Cy Curnin of '80s hitmakers the Fixx says he doesn't want to re-create history - just add to it.

The Fixx, which scored such guitar-driven new wave hits as ``Saved by Zero,'' ``One Thing Leads to Another'' and ``Red Skies,'' is planning to tour in support of ``Elemental'' (CMC), the quartet's first new album since 1991.

``Some of the production techniques from the '80s are stock,'' Curnin said. ``But there's a little more honesty in music today, although some songs from that period hold up well. We weren't uncomplicated in our arrangements.''

The band's hits from the previous decade are staples of radio's modern-rock and '80s gold formats.

``We're very pleased to see hardcore Fixx fans in the audience,'' singer Curnin said. ``We didn't know what to expect when we went out there for the first time after a three-year break. But we had an open dressing-room policy so we could meet fans and hear their comments. We met a lot of people and got a lot of feedback.''

The band, which formed in London 21 years ago, cut its debut, ``Shuttered Room,'' in 1982, the first of five albums. A 1989 greatest hits package, ``One Thing Leads to Another,'' has sold more than 2 million copies since its release.

``I've gotten older and I want the new album to be a career album,'' Curnin said recently from Aspen, Colo., where he was on a skiing vacation with his family. ``It's more important that we're proud of it as a band.''

`Torn' times three

The third time's the charm for ``Torn.''

The song, currently a radio hit for Natalie Imbruglia, was penned in 1994 by Anne Preven and Phil Thornally for local group Ednaswap's 1995 debut album.

Along with Ednaswap's version, ``Torn'' has been covered by three international artists - Danish singer Lis Sorensen, Norway-based American singer Trine Rein and British-based Australian actress Imbruglia.

Imbruglia's cover was a huge hit throughout Europe and is gaining radio and MTV play in the United States.

``Once a song has been released on an album, it's fair game for anyone to record,'' Ednaswap singer Preven said. ``But we have lots more where that came from.''

`Cool' classics coming

Next month, Blue Note will issue a series of West Coast ``cool jazz'' classics from the Pacific Jazz catalog. The initial titles due May 5 include albums by Chet Baker, Cy Touff, Bill Perkins, Jack Montrose, Jack Sheldon and Bud Shank.

CAPTION(S):

Photo

PHOTO The Fixx is planning to tour in support of ``Elemental,'' the quartet's first new album since 1991. The band's hits from the previous decade are staples of radio's modern-rock and '80s gold formats.