TLO might not be a name you recognize, but the Toronto deejay/producer has been working with Shad for several years, producing such amazing songs as “Rose Garden” and much of his latest mixtape, Melancholy and the Infinite Shadness. This year, he steps into the spotlight with his own instrumental EP, Jahyu.

If you’ve listened to his work with Shad, you’ll have a good idea as to what to expect from this EP. That is to say, a lot of great beats built on soul/R&B samples. He’s not reinventing the wheel here, but when the grooves are this good, you don’t really care. Seriously, if you can listen to a track like “Feelin’ It,” and not bob your head, you might want to check your pulse. He keeps things laid back, midtempo, but he does slow things down on “Beyond Forever,” which is strictly for the grown and sexy. His most completely realized composition on the EP is “Congolese Swag,” which incorporates a wide variety of drums, swirling strings a la Barry White, a simple bass riff, and a melody that is driven by piano. “Beautyfvll” and “He Said” close out the EP with some strong boom bap, with sped up vocal samples leading the melody over solid and powerful bass and drums.

Jahyu explores some well worn territory in hip hop, but it’s well worn for a reason. When it’s done well, nothing feels better than some well-placed soul samples with funky drum hits and fat bass lines. TLO knows how to construct beats like this as well as anybody, and it’s about time he got some shine. This is a feel good EP.