An alias for the Dutch electronic dance producer Lodewijk Fluttert, Bakermat makes uplifting house music containing smooth guitars and saxophones, as well as samples from genres such as soul, gospel, and disco. Active since 2012, his music is a direct precedent of the âtropical houseâ and âmelodic houseâ subgenres that gained prominence during the mid-2010s. Fluttert began to make music at the age of 18 when he studied at the University of Utrecht and discovered deep house. Quickly learning DJâing and production techniques, he released two tracks in 2012 (âZomerâ and the Martin Luther King-sampling âVandaagâ) and soon came to the attention of several electronic music labels. He signed to the dance agency Soulmax shortly afterward. In 2013, he put out the Uitzicht EP on Soundplate Records. The track hit a few European singles charts, but when Sony-affiliated B1 Recordings re-released âVandaagâ as âOne Day (Vandaag)â in 2014, it became a massive hit, reaching the Top 5 in several countries (including the top spot in France) and propelling him to further acclaim. High-profile DJ gigs followed, and his melodic, jazz-influenced house music attracted large crowds and led to him performing at the EDM festival Tomorrowland. That same year, Dutch label Deep Soul released Bakermatâs gospel-inspired âTeach Meâ single, which was remixed by Detroit-born house legend MK (Marc Kinchen). âGames,â a more pop-oriented single featuring vocalist Marie Plassard, followed in early 2016. In the following months, he issued the additional singles âBalladeâ b/w âGone,â âLivingâ with Alex Clare, and âDreamreacher.â Additional tracksââââBabyâ and âDonât Want You Backâ with Kieszaâââarrived in 2017. ~ Aneet Nijjar