IS THREE THE MAGIC NUMBER FOR CAFARO?

While remaining out of the spotlight for some time now, Al Cafaro, the former Chairman/CEO of A&M, is reportedly in talks to re-enter the music industry as head of UMG’s 3:33 Music Group, according to a Variety report.

Ironically, Cafaro left A&M more than two years ago during the consolidation that followed Universal’s $10.4 billion purchase of PolyGram, then parent of A&M. He exited in January 1999 when UMG folded A&M into Interscope, thereby offing about 170 A&M employees.

Cafaro has been serving as a consultant to 3:33, the vanity label run by film director Tom Shadyac and distributed through a joint venture between Universal Pictures and UMG's Universal Records. Interestingly, Shadyac has not released a film since 1998's “Patch Adams.” The label’s output has been far from prolific as well.

Variety reports that Cafaro confirmed that there have been “casual conversations” about expanding his role at 3:33, while reps for the imprint declined to comment.

Primarily formed as a soundtrack label to support Shadyac’s films, which are released by Universal Pictures, the imprint wants to grow into a full-service entity. 3:33 is hoping to expand operations, build its A&R presence and add additional staffers, the report says.

The label’s roster includes Killing Heidi and Zoo Story.