Matrix & Futurebound

Matrix and Futurebound, two drum'n'bass veterans with extensive solo catalogs stretching back to the mid-'90s, became one of the genre's most successful acts during the 2010s, scoring four U.K. Top 40 hits. The duo began working together in 2005, releasing debut full-length Universal Truth in 2007. The album included a few pop-leaning vocal collaborations along with the duo's cinematic, heart-racing instrumentals. The duo expanded on their pop songwriting skills with their subsequent singles, including 2013's "Control" (with Max Marshall), which hit the Top Ten of the U.K. singles chart and was certified silver. The duo continued releasing singles and remixes throughout the decade, ranging from further pop collaborations ("Happy Alone," "Fire") to instrumentals ("Glow Worm," "Scatterbrain"). London's Jamie Quinn, brother of fellow drum'n'bass innovator Optical, began releasing tracks as Matrix in 1994, appearing on labels such as Metalheadz, Moving Shadow, and Virus, in addition to founding Metro Recordings in 1997. Brendan Collins (of Liverpool) co-founded the group Futurebound in 1994, but he maintained the moniker for his solo work after the group disbanded a few years later. Quinn and Collins formed the duo Matrix & Futurebound in 2005, debuting with the single "Strength 2 Strength," issued by Metro as well as Collins' Viper Recordings. Two years after their first pairing, the duo released their debut album, Universal Truth, which included collaborations with Chicago house legend Robert Owens and MC Spyda. The non-album single "Shanghai Surprise" followed in 2008. A mixed compilation CD, Worldwide 001, appeared in 2011. Remixing the likes of Justin Timberlake and Moby helped to slowly build the pair's profile, but it wasn't until 2012 that success came knocking. The anthemic single "All I Know," featuring vocalist Luke Bingham, appeared in May and went straight into the U.K. singles chart at number 29 after being added to the playlist on BBC Radio 1 and championed by the likes of Zane Lowe and Fearne Cotton. Following the success of the release, the duo returned with the follow-up "Magnetic Eyes" (with Baby Blue), which this time peaked at number 24. With pressing remixes and DJ commitments, the pair wouldn't return to the U.K. charts until December 2013. Their most successful single, "Control," featuring the vocals of Max Marshall, peaked at number seven. The 2014 follow-up "Don't Look Back" (with Tanya Lacey) reached number 38. Following the 2015 single "Fire," Matrix & Futurebound collaborated with Empire star V. Bozeman for the single "Happy Alone." In 2016, the duo released the instrumental "Scatterbrain" and "Fire," a further collaboration with Marshall. Subsequent singles included 2017's "Light Us Up" (with Calum Scott) and "Human" (featuring Raphaella), and 2018's "Live Another Day" (with Alex Hepburn). The single "Got You There," featuring Zelah, arrived the following year. ~ Rich Wilson & Paul Simpson