I just got back from a private listening party for Asher Roth’s debut album Asleep In The Bread Aisle. Actually, I’m kinda tired, plus I had a few dranks, so I’m a little tipsy, but I wanted to get this up before I lay me down to sleep. First off, I want to let it be known that I was one of the first bloggers to give Asher Roth some shine. My first blog about him was back in May 2008…well the homie Sohh Gyant did put me on first, but I in turn put the homie eskay on, so that’s pretty much how the blogger network works. Not to mention I was one of the first journalist to interview him for a national publication when I interviewed him for OZONE, so I think I played my part in introducing Asher to the public (ok, enough patting myself on the back for now).

Almost a year later, with Asher Roth’s debut album only a few weeks away from dropping, his label gave a few peeps in the A a chance to hear the album before it comes out. See what labels do is get you out to these events, give you some free food and drinks, and by the time you’re liquored up, everything on the album sounds good. It’s kinda like when you wine & dine a chick, it lowers her inhibitions, and you have a better chance of hittin’ it at the end of the night…yeah, it’s pretty much the same concept.

Anyways, I had already heard from various sites that A. Roth’s album was pretty good, so I was really interested in hearing it. Asher wasn’t there himself, but his manager Scott Braun was there, and he was cool as fux (the homie Kenny Hamilton, who’s Asher’s road manager, if I’m not mistaken, was in attendance too), and they made sure we had a good time and really got an understanding of the production process for the album.

And I must admit, Asher Roth’s album is ill. I know people always want to compare him to Eminem, but not one song on the album gave you anything close to a Slim Shady feel (expect maybe one track but I can’t remember the name of it). The production on the album, which was handled mostly by Oren Yoel, is quite impressive. I know what I’m gonna say might sound strange, but Sleep In The Bread Aisle is hella soulful (sounds crazy for a white boy, I know). A lot of the beats on there are full of live bass and instrumentation, so it gives the album a real fresh feeling that’s complimented by Asher slick wordplay. Not to mention Cee-Lo (“Be By Myself”), Keri Hilson (“She Don’t Want a Man”) and Jazze Pha (“Bad Day”) are all on the project, so that helps put some southern swag into Asher’s college boy strut. And there’s a track called “His Dream” that has this new cat from LA named Miguel, and he’s blowing on the hook (*pause just in case*).

“Lion’s Roar” with Busta Rhymes and “La Di Da” produced by Don Cannon (which may be the next single) were bangers too. I didn’t even mention “I Love College,” which has singlehandedly made me miss my undergrad years, or “Lark On a Go Kart” which makes me wanna pick up a chick at a college party, bring her home, and take advantage of her. Plus, the bonus tracks have guest appearances from Beanie Sigel and Slick Rick, that were just stoopid.

I mean, I was eating and drinking while listening to it, but I don’t remember hearing anything that was straight up just wack, so based off what I heard tonight, I must say that Asher Roth has a solid debut album on his hands. Personally, when the album drops on April 20th, (which is national smokers day or something), I’m gonna go pick it up. That’s the least I can do, since they hooked me up with some good food tonight. But no seriously, the album is dope, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it ends up being one of the best albums of 2009, and one of the better debut albums to have dropped over the last few years.

Once again, Asher Roth’s debut album Asleep In The Bread Aisle will be in stores and online on April 20th, and I encourage you all to go out and get that.

*R.E. exits The Block and returns to bumpin’ “I Love College.” Oh, the “I Love College (Remix)” is coming soon, too.*