Duncan's first solo release ‘I Believe My Heart’ from the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical ‘Woman In White’ in 2004, which was a massive success, probably prompted him to set out on his own and raring to show what he’s made of.

After selling an amazing 13 million records with the massively successful pop band Blue, Duncan James, the poster boy is ageing, but love is still the central theme running through this his debut album.

The album is a journey of many moods with his album title showing him as an artist whose going into the future, but still remembering his past, which was with the band Blue. Future Past is heartfelt collection of twelve perfectly crafted pop songs about love, loss and relationships. It’s an album that showcases James, as he wants to be.

‘Future Past’ isn't an album full of just exciting pop songs; rather it has a good number of ballads that is known to be lapped by many around. The country tinged Suffer has prime examples of good time Ronan stuff to it, both in its melodic twangs and James' seeming impressions of the Irish star's style of singing. The tender ballad Can't Stop A River, written by Grammy award winner Seal is a well composed, but still falls short of a runaway success.

While boasting 11 original songs, James does a fairly good cover of Lonestar's 2000 hit song the mid tempo country rock kinda feel in Amazed. You could miss it, if you didn’t hear it carefully. There also the haunting I Don't Wanna Stop, to the uplifting I Come Alive and the bittersweet message of What Are We Waiting For? The opening track Sooner or later and the hidden finale Save this moment for me is a must listen, very illuminating and extremely lushy.

Duncan has spent the last year co-writing and recording the album with a formidable array of industry professionals who contribute to the writing and production effort and among them are luminaries such as Stephen Lipson (Annie Lennox, Simple Minds), Andreas Carlsson (Britney Spears, N Sync) and Peter Vettese (Bee Gees, Beverly Knight). Sooner or Later talks about being out in a relationship, but finding new love once again. The Seal (singer) penned track has a jazz feel to it, and its lyrics very meaningful.

Most of the songs have been written or co – written by James that also gives him a one up on letting out his thoughts. Lyrics on Sooner or Later are spellbinding, Sooner or later you’re gonna wake up find what you’re looking for like a diamond washed up on the shore…….. or even Breathing ……I’m Breathing, I’m learning to survive and I’m finding my way since you brought me back to life…………

Vocally James does not shine as you would expect, but tune in to a few standouts where his mighty soaring strength in his impressive vocal delivery shine out in songs like Amazed, Sooner or Later. He is dramatic and no doubt wild at times on I Come alive and What are we waiting for. Though the now married singer has a lot of adrenalin in his vocal chords, he’s loud on a few that would make you press the forward button if you are not used to this flavor.

The album has a whole band playing to his songs, unlike his boy band days, when most was recorded on a computer. Instrumentation is not at all sparse and rather heavy on certain songs so what you have is a good string section, good drums and neat piano work on songs like Somebody still loves me, Breathing and I don’t wanna stop that is noticeable at times.

With Simon Webbe, Lee Ryan, and now Duncan all making a bee line for a solo album effort, Blue fans will have a good time choosing the best of them, and will know who the best singer really was when they were a quartet. James’ music should find takers albeit slowly, for he’s fresh, on his own and hence demands your attention just to make his presence felt. He has the fire in him and he’s not resting on the laurels of Blue. Surely this is not a letdown.

Rating: ****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira