Tracks I've written, co-written, covered and produced over the years. 

My Productions

At the beginning of 2014, I began work on a new collaborative project, and released a number of tracks under the moniker 'Belleville. Here are the results.

My Productions as Belleville

Toward the end of 2015 I launched a solo project called 'The Soviet Union' with the intention of releasing material I'd written and performed myself. 

My Productions as The Soviet Union

Remixes and covers I've put together over the last few years.

Remixes & Re-Rubs

Some of the music I wrote and produced alongside Matthew Phillips in the band Kites. 

My Productions as Kites

Communications on climate change can be abstract, uninspiring and, all too frequently, bitterly dull. That's why, in the heat of the 2013 London summer, a filmmaker, an actor and a communications specialist decided to explore provocative and engaging ways of talking about climate change.

And so the Climate Gentleman was born.

Friends since university, Duncan Argo-Morrison, Matthew Phillips and Christian Roe have one simple objective: to rally new audiences via videos which all feature the impeccably dressed, if somewhat haughty, Climate Gentleman -- a new kind of ambassador for climate change.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trksdzKpHQg

Follow @climategent

Huffington Post Blog:
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/matth...

Music by: Richard Baldwin

Climate Gentleman (Soundtrack)

In the spirit of previous releases; 'Emptyhead' and 'Vosferbank'; The Soviet Union returns with the characteristically cinematic 'Ikronoklast'

Sonically this is unmistakably 'The Soviet Union', a bouncing, driving techno-disco workout, replete with chunky italo basslines, syncopated breakbeats, and distant voices evoking cold-war.

Complete with 'Von Leen-Hammer's' chunky re-work 'Ikronoklast' will be released this summer on brand new Qubicle Records.

Ikronoklast

The Soviet Union - Ikronoklast

The awesome Lana Del Rey remixed for 2014 - Summertime Sadness. 

If you enjoy the music, please share on your Facebook/Twitter! 

Thanks. 

Lana Del Rey - Summertime Sadness (Stakkr's Darkwave Remix)

Widescreen

Born to Die - Lana Del Rey (Stakkr)

Metric - Help, I'm Alive (Stakkr's Back to School Mix)

The debut track from Belleville. 

"Could you forget? Would you put your heart there?"

Words and Music by Belleville

Capture

I recorded this from the radio when i was about 13/14 years old.  I'm rather surprised that almost 20 mins in, Shazam has no idea of any of the tunes of the first 25 mins or so, until Aphex Twin.

Help me rediscover these tunes. Comment and name if you know the tracks!

Track ID Treasure Trove - 1991 Key 103 Manchester

The final act of the Kites drama. 

Thanks to @alphabetbands for the farewell. Read it here: wp.me/pLguT-1ZM

Orwell Knows

An instrumental inspired by the twilight hours. That dusky phase leading into the night-time, when anything can happen.


Slowfall

This track is a favourite of mine, but the 1982 original suffers from a lot of sync issues and was quite loose, so I thought I'd use my Roland JX3P, Juno106 and Sequential Circuits Drumtraks to try and replicate the music faithfully, with a mind to having a female singer to provide vocals in the coming weeks.(I've used the twinkly synth in the verses to show the vocal melody)

Miro Miroe - Nights of Arabia (Stakkr 2011 Rework)

MiniGroove

Mondays LEC

As Long As You Are Mine - Instrumental

Do Without You

The third offering, an atmospheric incantation from Belleville. 

BELLEVILLE - CEREMONY

Awake I'm dreaming, I'm cold, cannot see
Paradise is lost, beyond me.
Your love was drifting from me
and I began to die slowly.

Got to find a way to save me.
some kind of ceremony.
I have a black heart here in the rain, again.

(Chorus)
Summon up the stars.
Drive away the dark.
A ceremony to save your heart

Holding on but slipping slowly.
Tears fall loudly, silver rain.
They say hell burns, so why am I freezing?
A story for the pain, tell me...

...how it goes that you can fly free?
Always thinking that you can come back to me. 
I hold my black heart here in the rain, again.

(Chorus)

I wrestle for your naked soul,
falling through the dark so cold.
It hurt alone in the underground,
a tunnel of love for the lost unfound.

The way I feel's like a loaded gun. 
I wanted to be the only one.
I'll face the rain, when the night turns dark.
A ceremony to save my heart.

Ceremony

Official Site - www.wearekites.com 
Facebook - www.facebook.com/wearekites 
Myspace - www.myspace.com/kitesonline 
Twitter - www.twitter.com/kitesonline

--------------------------------------------------------

Art Tastes Better Blind

Here is Belleville's version of this 'Of Montreal' track. 

There is also a video on youtube made using clips from the first ever colour film by Kodak in 1922, featuring famous actresses from the silent era. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9r6nxPZ74Y

The Past Is a Grotesque Animal

The Past Is A Grotesque Animal

KITES - The Blue Door

Official Site - www.wearekites.com 
Facebook - www.facebook.com/wearekites 
Myspace - www.myspace.com/kitesonline 
Twitter - www.twitter.com/kitesonline


The Blue Door

The first of two remixes for this track. 


Metric - Help, I'm Alive (Stakkr's Feeling French Mix)

Richard's previous band, @kites released their final track, 'Orwell Knows', just before singer and frontman Matthew moved to Germany. But Richard and Matthew, despite the separation, couldn't resist the chance to work together again. On a rare weekend return to London last year, Matthew recorded vocals to a captivating soundscape Richard had created.

The result: 'Where The Cherry Blossoms Grow', presents the reflections of a stranger living in a new country.

Where Cherry Blossoms Grow (feat. Matthew Phillips)

Shine

'This Jumped-Up Boy In Livery'
Released July 2012

KITES

www.wearekites.com
www.facebook.com/wearekites
www.twitter.com/kitesonline
www.soundcloud.com/kites

CONTACT - Manager - matt@medinamusic.com

This Jumped-Up Boy In Livery (Radio Edit)

On a recent trip to Germany, I was introduced to the talented Toona. 
I hope you enjoy this remix of her recent single "Can't Stop Moving". 

Check out her soundcloud page @toonamusic

Toona - Can't Stop Moving (Stakkr Remix)

@Zakmina join the @NightNoiseMusic roster with his 'Cosmic Polo', featuring two new tracks and remixes from 'K-Effect' and 'The Soviet Union'.

The latter coming hot of the heels off his killer vinyl release ' Anamnesis' on Phantasm Records.

Release Date - 26/06/18

Read more on the Sinchi blog - https://www.sinchi-collective.com/2018/06/12/premiere-zakmina-come-here-vladim-the-soviet-union-remix/

Youtube - https://youtu.be/fBDOmxm4fbw

Cosmic Polo

PREMIERE - Zakmina - Come Here Vladim (The Soviet Union Remix) (Night Noise)

This is the original full length version of the song, recorded in December 2011 after Matthew added vocals to the track "Shine". All sounds, recording and production took place in my studio at The Cottage, NW3.

Here is the video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GX6Gvz8eCk

Kites - This Jumped-Up Boy in Livery (Original Mix)

My remix of the incredible 'All Is Not Lost' by Tony Anderson.

Tony Anderson  - All Is Not Lost (Stakkr Remix)

@NightNoiseMusic returns with a new release from @TheSovietUnion aka Richard Baldwin. Baldwin has a signature style that is cinematic and synth heavy and has been formed over the last decade plus. A fine DJ, experienced promoter and self-confessed addict of vintage analogue synthesizers and drum machines, Richard pulls his influences from early electronica, 80s film-scores, and shades of techno right up to the present day. 

This release sees 'The Soviet Union' drawing on all their influences to craft a rugged slice of electronica. 'Emptyhead' is the track and it features additional remixes from Mind Fair, Dance Station and Ondata plus a dub mix from 'The Soviet Union' .

Release Date - 10/12/18

Sinchi Blog - https://www.sinchi-collective.com/the-soviet-union-emptyhead/

Youtube - https://youtu.be/Z8b8TSwCQ_o

PREMIERE - The Soviet Union - Emptyhead (Night Noise)

This was such a key part of an incredible event I've put it up so you can heard it before the release of the 'Isles of Wonder' CD.

Underworld - And I Will Kiss (London 2012 Opening Ceremony Original Soundtrack)

Admittedly an odd choice of song to rework, but managed to record a chorus when drunk back in May. Unfortunately once the dutch courage dissipated the singer decided she couldn't do the rest so this is all there was to show for it. I'm aware it's a short clip, but the vocal sounds so good it seemed a shame to not put it up. (it was the singers first ever time being recorded)

Vocals by Sophie, backing vocals by me.

74-75 (A Fine Idea When Drunk - Connells Cover)

More chilled version of Livery that I did after a stripped back gig we did at Strongroom radio last year. 

Kites - This Jumped-Up Boy in Livery (Stripped-Back Boy Mix by Stakkr)

@AndrewClaristidge teams up once again with the mysterious @Workerpoor for a new EP on the eclectic @NightNoiseMusic label. The release was written between their studios in la Bretagne, Paris and Berlin, and comes backed with remixes from David Carretta, Cristiano Roberto, The Soviet Union and Tales of Voodoo.

Claristidge was formerly part of Acid Washed and has toured the world with his multi-faceted sounds that veers from pop to wave to techno. Workerpoor, meanwhile, has been at the heart of the dark electro scene on labels like Zone with artists like Arnaud Rebotini, The Hacker and Gesaffelstein. Their latest EP makes use of analog synths, drum machines and field recordings from the lake of Callac de Bretagne, so brims with life.

The second track on the release is ‘Slow Uppercut’, a slow, ambient, robotic piece redolent of Boards Of Canada that will sink you into a cosmic abyss.

Synth disco don @TheSovietUnion takes it up a notch and serves up an intergalactic workout of pixel thin synths and punk-funk drums that are fantastically visceral and direct.

Release Date - 24/05/19

Sinchi Blog -  https://www.sinchi-collective.com/slow-uppercut-the-soviet-union-remix/

Youtube - https://youtu.be/3RrlKmtqcq4

Slow Uppercut

PREMIERE - Andrew Claristidge & Workerpoor - Slow Uppercut (The Soviet Union Remix) (Night Noise)

A little doodle I did a year or two ago...played it to Matt when he came over to record vocals and he came up with the vocals ad-lib. 

Definitely a heavy Legowelt influence on my part and just a hint of Morrissey from Matthew.

Suffer Fools (An Electronic Doodle)

Demo of 'The Disappearance of Becky Sharp'. Kites.
www.wearekites.com

The Disappearance of Becky Sharp

My remix of the Natalya, a track from Kino, the latest album from Sweden's excellent "Death in the Afternoon".  



http://soundcloud.com/death-in-the-afternoon
https://www.facebook.com/ditaband

Death in the Afternoon - Natalya (Kites Remix)

I was asked to do this remix for Maxïmo Park after our band Kites supported them at Lancaster University last year.

Maximo Park - The National Health (Kites Remix)

This one’s a blast from the past and completely reworked in trademark @theSovietUnion style. Soon you’ll be hearing from the artist again on the forthcoming Sinchi Altered States Compilation Vol.3 , in the meantime tuck in to this beautiful and original reinterpretation.

In the words of the artist...

‘During sessions for my upcoming track 'Vosferbank'(On Sinchi). I was playing around with basslines and found myself playing the familiar sequence. Then decided to sample the track itself. Using that atmospheric FM donk sound that later became so ubiquitous in Drum & Bass and Garage, I decided to build a new mix around it. I sourced the Kirk samples from the original Star Trek film, replicated the strings and put it altogether in one afternoon. I can actually remember first hearing 'We are the Creator' on Colin Faver's Abstrakt Dance show on Kiss FM back in 1993. Hosting alongside Colin Dale, Faver's show was a window in that period's bold experimentation, with all sorts of techno, breakbeat hardcore, jungle, techno, and trance being played in the same evening. Alex Hazzard and Jack Smooth's track in particular always stuck with me because of their use of space, in those interludes between the frenetic syncopated rhythms that were beginning to morph into the emerging darker jungle sound. In fact, Alex Reece was the engineer on this one, and he would later stamp his own trademark as D&B, that had its first wave of mainstream popularity in the mid-90s. I always really enjoy remixing other artists and this 27 year old classic is a rare treat that deserves another look'.

Free Download

SINCHI EDITS 06  - Smooth But Hazzardous - We Are The Creator (The Soviet Union 2020 Vision)

A Story of Italo Disco, Indie Dance, Slow Motion, New Wave, Breakbeat ...is now starting.

INCOMING : The Soviet Union - Vosferbank #Sinchi

Release date : 2020 -12-04

Buy : https://sinchilove.bandcamp.com/album/sinchi-altered-states-vol-3

Sinchi returns with a 3rd instalment of their acclaimed ‘Altered States’ compilation. Once again, raising funds for their own Sinchi Foundation and the work they do in supporting indigenous communities worldwide.

Again this is a truly international affair featuring artists across 4 continents. Representing South America, Altair & Sagan (Argentina), in North America, Mr. Tea (US) and Loui Martz (Mexico). In Europe, Lithuania’s Dannie Fade and British artist The Soviet Union, then crossing in to Western Asia, Syrian duo Boschoco… who’s hit Semsem (released on Sinchi this year), is remixed from the label themselves.

The label has become a symbol of originality and defined by a willingness to experiment with different genres and unknown artists. In the labels own words, 'we hear so much music that is churned out by ‘big name’ artists, which although usually beautiful produced, doesn’t do anything for us. Of course, high quality production is important but the ethos of the label is geared towards music which dares to be different, not judging demo’s from an artist’s reputation and most importantly is it unique enough to stand the test of time’.

☎ Connect ☎

SC:
https://soundcloud.com/sinchicollective
https://soundcloud.com/thesovietunion

FB:
https://www.facebook.com/sinchicollective
https://www.facebook.com/thesoundofthesovietunion

INSTA:
https://www.instagram.com/sinchicollective/

INCOMING : The Soviet Union - Vosferbank #Sinchi

Richard Baldwin, aka Stakkr, has been writing, producing and remixing music for over a decade, developing a signature cinematic, synthwave style along the way. 

Between 2010 and 2013, he gigged extensively, co-writing, producing and playing keyboards with much lauded 'fop-pop' band 'Kites'.

At the beginning of 2014, Richard began work on a new collaborative project, and released two tracks under the moniker 'Belleville' as the year drew to a close.

An experienced DJ, Richard has also organised a number of regular, intimate club events in London's clubland.

A self-confessed addict of 1970s & 80s synthesizers and drum machines, Richard pulls his influences from early electronica, 80s film-scores, and dance music right up to the present day. Creating music in one way, shape or form, for many years, first using samplers and 16-bit computers in the 1990s, and later employing vintage synthesizers and drum machines, Richard began using softsynths in the early 2000s before returning to classic hardware over the last few years.

Contact  for further info, collaborations or remixes.

Stakkr

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