Daniel Robinson • Not Your Boy

Daniel Robinson is a talented Electropop singer/songwriter, based out of Buffalo, New York. Robinson is also currently a finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Earlier this spring, the out and proud Daniel released his second EP, 'Guesswork'. The music of the first single reminded me of the bold melodies of the 1980s, when bands like Duran Duran ruled the airwaves. After finding success with "Running With The Wolves", the second single is about to take off. "Not Your Boy" offers a more futuristic feel, reminding me of Sigue Sigue Sputnik, with an industrial, almost mechanical feel, one part video game, two parts melody. It seems a natural for your summer playlist, as you can hear for yourself.

After hearing that, you can tell why Daniel was named one of Music Connections Hot 100 Unsigned Artists. You can purchase the single "Not Your Boy" can be found on his EP 'Guesswork'. That is a great collection of Electropop, all little aural treats. In case you missed the first single, "Running With The Wolves", you can check it out now, in all it's Simon-Le-Bon-induced splendor.

Both are just examples of the strong music Daniel Robinson makes. You can find his 'Guesswork' on iTunes, Amazon and Bandcamp. For more about Daniel Robinson, visit his official website, or 'like' him on Facebook, or 'follow' him on Twitter.

A Valentine From The 1980s

Clockwise: Alison Moyet; New Order; Sade, and Sigue Sigue Sputnik.

So kick off your St. Valentine's Day with a bit of spicy love, I decided to go back into the vaults and haul out some great songs from the 1980s with the word 'love' in the title. Now, there were many, and some I have even used before, so I thought I'd go for a different mix this time out. I will begin with the gorgeous voice of a women first known as the voice of a New Wave group before she flew on her own to be a Pop Princess. I am of course speaking about Alison Moyet, who partnered with Vince Clarke as Yazoo, or Yaz in the United States. After the success of the band with the album 'Upstairs at Eric's', which spawned several solo hits, Clarke and Moyet parted ways, and soon Alison was making solo albums. In 1984, Alison Moyet had a hit with "Love Resurrection", off her stunning solo debut,  'Alf'.

After the break up of the wildly popular Joy Division, Bernard Sumner, Peter Hook, and Stephen Morris, were looking to continue to make music together. In 1980 they, along with Gillian Gilbert, formed the brilliant band New Order, who made some great music in the 1980s and early 1990s. In 1986, New Order had a massive hit with the song "Bizarre Love Triangle", a song that played everywhere, from the radio to the clubs. This is "Bizarre Love Triangle".

That same year, another British band was coming out with intriguing music, only they both looked and sounded so very different. While there are many theories as to why the band was named Sigue Sigue Sputnik, it was hard not to notice them, with the futuristic look and sound. The six-person group was made up by Tony James, Neal X, Martin Degville, Yana YaYa, Ray Mayhew, and Chris Kavanagh. In 1986, Sigue Sigue Sputnik released the amazing single "Love Missile F1-11".

Just a few years before, another new face and creative force was about to take the world by storm. The the release of her first album, 'Diamond Life', Sade strated with a string of hit songs that showcased her gorgeous looks and amazing voice. But it was in 1988 that she produced one of my favorite songs, "Love Is Stronger Than Pride". It was off her third album, 'Stronger Than Pride'.

Will you be my valentine?

Worth Another Listen - Sigue Sigue Sputnik

I have been on a bit of a SSS tear these days. Sigue Sigue Sputnik were part New Wave, part Punk, and a whole lot of hype that made for a quick rise. It all began in 1982, when Tony James left the Punk superband Generation X, which featured the lead singer, Billy Idol. He went on to form Sigue Sigue Sputnik with Martin Degville. Neal X, Ray Mayhew, Chris Kavanagh, and Yana YaYa. In an interview, James claimed that he had chosen his bandmates for their looks, and the band's slogan was "Fleece the World". James billed the band as "Hi-tech sex, designer violence, and the fifth generation of rock 'n' roll". The name was supposed to come from some Soviet street gang of sorts, although I remember reading the word 'Sigue' is not part of the Russian language, so, who knows? The sounds was very slick, highly produced and every electronic. It was about as far from the raw edge of Generation X as you could get.



After playing a few shows in the UK, there was a huge buzz about the band and they finally released their first single in 1986, Love Missile F1-11. The song was produced by Giorgio Moroder, who had already had Pop success with the soundtrack to Flashdance. The songs soared up the charts in the UK, landing at #3.



As part of the soundtrack to Ferris Bueller's Day Off, the popularity of the song increased worldwide. However, it was not cleared in the US, and was replaced in the movie in the States. Soon it was time for a follow-up, and the band released 21st Century Boy. This song had more edge, a less polished sound that was welcomed by many of the Punk Rockers following the band. The song went to #20 on the UK Pop chart.



The album, Flaunt It, was hit by some seriously bad reviews, yet that did not stop the British public from running out to buy it. It hit the Top 10 on the UK chart, and Top 100 on the US album chart. The album also had another memorable feature - it came with commercials. Management for the band tried to explain that commercialism was so rampant in the world, like putting ads on a record was making a statement, not making money. There was a combination of real sold advertising and some spoofs of ads for the band.



There was a 2-year delay before a second album was available for distribution. It was not nearly as successful, despite being called Dressed For Success. The 1988 album did spawn a minor hit in the UK with the single Success. It had the same electronic Rock sound, combining rock and dance sounds.



Within a year, the band were going their separate ways. There was several attempts at reforming the band in various forms in the 90s and 2000s, although it never really lasted long. For more about Sigue Sigue Sputnik, check out the official website here. Much on there was written by band 'creator' Tony James.

Songs from Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Top: Beatles, Wayne Newton. Then Sigue Sigue Sputnik, Yello and Dream Academy.

The late John Hughes not only knew how to make a great movie, he also knew how to use music that could score on the Pop charts. Take, for example, the soundtrack to Ferris Bueller's Day Off, the 1986 film starring Matthew Broderick. The movie was not only a big hit, but it became an iconic part of Pop Culture, with an assortment of things like the phrase "Bueller. Bueller. Bueller," and other memorable moments. Another such moment is when Ferris is in the parade in downtown Chicago, lip synching to a classic old song. When Ferris pops up on the float 'singing' Wayne Newton's Danke Schoen. Here is a clip of Newton singing it in 1968 live. Now, it might be me, but doesn't he look like Justin Bieber?



While still in that parade, Ferris didn't shy away from a bit of rock 'n roll, delivering more lip synch with the Beatles' Twist And Shout.



I am not sure how Hughes discovered a somewhat esoteric Swiss electronica band, but he not only found them, he used them perfectly. Yello, with bandmembers Carlos Perón, Dieter Meier and Boris Blank, supplied a song that is instantly recognizable, although if I asked about the song Oh Yeah, you might draw a blank until you hit play. Here is the video for it.



There were very few bands that were like the New Wave outfit Sigue Sigue Sputnik. The band grew out of the great punk band Generation X, bringing the attitude and tempo with the slick New Wave style. Hughes used the song Love Missile F1-11 in the movie, and here is the video from the band.



While it was used as an instrumental, Hughes also had a cover of a song of The Smiths on the soundtrack. The Dream Academy supplied a gorgeous, mystical and lush version of Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want for the film, and you can watch it here.



That John Hughes, he certainly knew how to score a movie, didn't he?