JACK BACK ON TOP OF CHARTS?

Jack Johnson’s Brushfire/Universal Records Curious George soundtrack has some legs... along with a tail, cute furry ears and a possible return to the #1 spot on next week’s HITS Top 50 album chart.

Caution: these are early returns based on a couple of days’ sale figures from retailers nationwide, so don’t blame us if they’re not entirely accurate. In other words, don’t make any bar bets based on the outcome.

In a week in which the Universal Records label was cut in two, score one for Monte Lipman’s team as the label's surf king looks headed to between 95-100k, which would be enough for him to edge the hard-charging Custard/Atlantic crooner James Blunt at 85-90k.

Walt Disney Records’ High School Musical soundtrack continues to draw in the pubescent market with 85-90k, followed by Geffen’s resilient Mary J. Blige just behind at 80-85k.

Arista’s Barry Manilow collection stays strong, with 75-80k, which would be good for a Top 5 finish, as he goes head-to-head with WB’s Jaheim, last week’s #1, who continues to make the top reaches of the charts his Ghetto.

Decca/Universal’s Andrea Bocelli gets his tonsils around a 65-70k week, while Arista/RMG crossover queen Carrie Underwood hits 60-65k.

Shady/Aftermath/Interscope’s domesticated rapper Eminem takes one more Curtain Call inside the Top 10 at 60-65k, while Razor & Tie’s obscenely successful Kidz Bop 9 is the week’s top debut at #10 with 55-60k.

As far as chart bows go, look for Domino’s Brit phenoms the Arctic Monkeys to scare up a very respectable 22k, with the Razor & Tie pop compilation Fired Up! 3 (with Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears, Maroon 5, among others) scoring 18k and Capitol’s Dilated Peoples at 12k.

Tuesday, expect mega-sellers from Def Jam/IDJ's Ne-Yo and Victory's Hawthorne Heights to bust out of the gate strong as they hit retail.