Barthezz

Bart Claessen used the Barthezz name for the records that first brought him a large international audience. “On the Move” emerged at the beginning of the 2000s, followed by “Infected” in 2001. Both place a compact, highly recognisable electronic figure over firm percussion, making them effective in a short edit as well as a longer club mix.

The synth line supplies the character that a singer might provide elsewhere. Small shifts in pitch, attack and rhythm change the feel of the repeating idea, while the surrounding arrangement makes each return more forceful. The records sit comfortably between the melodic trance and harder club-pop of the period.

Claessen later released widely under his own name, including work for Anjunabeats such as “Elf” and “90 Nights of Summer”. Those productions open another route into the same interest in strong melodic construction and carefully managed energy.

The Barthezz singles remain a good starting point because their purpose is so clear. They do not need a long lyrical explanation or an elaborate image. The producer finds a musical shape that works, then builds enough movement around it to make the listener want another cycle.