Don't go - Future World Orchestra

Yet another addition to my collection of Future World Orchestra singles. 'Don't go' was released in 1985, just before Robert Pot and Gerto Heupink decided to break up after differences of opinion about the musical direction they were heading.

Future World Orchestra still exists, with Pot as the sole original member.

My collection: 7" single no. 4819
Found: Record fair, Utrecht, April 10, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Don't go (part 1)' / 'Don't go (part 2)'

I'm not afraid of the future - Future World Orchestra

If my collection would be all about chart hits, I would be very satisfied with the fact that I completed the list of chart hits by Future World Orchestra today. They were in the Dutch Top 40 four times, and since I already had two hit singles by them, the two hit singles I bought today complete the set.

'I'm not afraid of the future' was released in April 1982 and reached number 26 in the Dutch Top 40. As good as the A-side is, the B-side sounds very much like a Dutchman trying to sing in English.

My collection: 7" single no. 4003
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, August 22, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I'm not afraid of the future' / 'Just for you'

Desire - Future World Orchestra

Time has been kind to the debut single of the Future World Orchestra. The duo called themselves this in 1981 because of their use of synthesizers, which were a relatively new phenomenon back then.

'Desire' was relased in November 1981 and reached number 20 in the Dutch Top 40. It was a promising start for the Dutch duo, although they would never reach a higher position in the chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 4002
Found: Record fair, Den Haag, August 22, 2009
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Desire' / 'Casablanca nights'

Theme from E.T. - Future World Orchestra

Steven Spielberg directed the movie E.T., which was one of the box office hits of 1982. Longtime Spielberg collaborator John Williams composed the musical score for the movie. Williams described his challenge as creating a score that would generate sympathy for such an odd-looking creature. As with their previous collaborations, Spielberg liked every theme Williams composed and had it included.

When 'E.T.' proved to be a phenomenon, the Dutch group Future World Orchestra decided to cash in on the success as well. Their innovative synthesizer sound was still an attraction, so the single reached number 20 in the Dutch Top 40. When you listen to it now, it sounds like one of those 'Synthesizer greatest' tracks. But for E.T. fans, this might be a rarity.

My collection: 7" single no. 3897
Found: Plaatboef, Rotterdam, July 20, 2009
Cost: 0,25 euro
Tracks: 'Theme from E.T.' / 'Mister Y'

Roulette - Future World Orchestra

Robert Pot (Born in Nijverdal, Netherlands, March 15, 1957) developed an interest in symphonic rock groups like Genesis and Yes at an early age. He saved up for synthesizers and a recording studio, until he met Gerto Heupink, with whom he formed Future World Orchestra. They recorded several demos and finally signed with Dureco Records in 1981.

Their debut single, 'Desire', reached number 20 in the Dutch Top 40. The follow-up, 'I'm not afraid of the future', did almost equally well, peaking at number 26. After recording a cover version of the 'Theme from E.T.' (Yes, THAT Spielberg movie), they released 'Roulette', an instrumental track reminiscent of the work by contemporaries Nova. It reached number 29, and it was in fact their only single I liked. And so I bought it.

My collection: 7" single no. 205

Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1983

Cost: 2 guilders

Tracks: 'Roulette' / 'Dawn'

Download: here