James' solo career began in October 2004, when he collaborated with singer-songwriter Keedie on the single "I Believe My Heart", which was a number-two hit on the UK Singles Chart.[1] Shortly after, James began recording a solo album, with the help of producer Stephen Lipson, who had collaborated with the likes of Boyzone, Ronan Keating, Daniel Bedingfield and Will Young.[2] The album was released on 12 June 2006, a week after the release of the lead single, "Sooner or Later", which only peaked at #35 on the UK Singles Chart. Upon the week of release, the album only peaked at #55 on the UK Albums Chart. In an attempt to boost sales, "Can't Stop a River" was released as the album's second single on 21 August 2006 but this charted even lower than "Sooner or Later", only peaking at #59 on the UK Singles Chart. "Amazed" was released as third and final single only in Italy and Germany on September 29, 2006. It was planned for a UK release on March 12, 2007, but was canceled when James was fired from the label in January 2007.
The album sold less than 15,000 copies in the United Kingdom, and 150,000 copies worldwide. However, it found success in Italy, peaking at #2 on the Italian Albums Chart, for sales of more than 80,000 copies.[3]
Sharon Mawer of Allmusic gave the album two out of five stars, stating: "Despite having high hopes after the success of Simon Webbe and Lee Ryan's solo careers, and having a hit single already behind him, Duncan James' "Future Past" was doomed from the outset after the poor performances of the lead singles "Sooner or Later" and "Can't Stop a River", despite the latter being backed by the writing talents of Seal. Every one of the twelve songs fails to break the mid-tempo ballad barrier, with only "Letter to God" being an out-and-out slow ballad. There is definitely a need for greater contrast and stronger imagination, something which this album clearly lacks."[4] Talia Kraines from BBC Music found that Future Past "isn't an album full of exciting pop songs to get your blood rushing, but if you're missing Darius and after a bunch of mid-tempo pop songs to ease you through the day then this might just be it [...] Claiming serious pop writers such as Stephen Lipson and Peter Vetesse on his album notes, Duncan's younger fans should stay well away. He's no longer your pin up – but your mum's."[5]
