Hi whenever I want to connect a device using bluetooth I do these steps
rfkill unblock bluetooth
bluetoothctl
scan on
pair <MAC addr>
exit (leave bluetoothctl prompt)
rfcomm bind 0 <MAC Addr> 1
rfcomm connect 0 <MAC addr> 1
I have not connected your device before, but it works when I connect my sphero....I have a bluetooth speaker laying around here somewhere let me try to connect
Hope this helps!