Darren Lewis and Iyiola Babalola AKA D-Cutz and 2D first met on the Manchester DnB scene in the mid-nineties after Lewis handed out flyers for one of Babalola's club nights. When some studio time together was offered in return, Future Cut was born. By 1998 they had their first release with the funky The Chase / Fresh Step 12" on Renegade Recordings. But they really made an impact when they switched to a harder, darker sound on sister label Renegade Hardware: 'Whiplash', 'Horns 2000' and 'Stealth (Domination)' all caused huge damage.
They made a side-step to Trouble On Vinyl for a rare appearance on the parent label for the Mission Control LP. It was the second compilation on the imprint following Code Of The Streets two years previously and like that album, which included a tune from Future Forces Inc, producers from Hardware were also featured. '20/20' has an unusual intro with an almost 4/4 thump, sci-fi sound effects and interjections of Killa Bee-esque bass. When it drops it brings in a proper wobble of a bassline with crisp, punchy drums for a tune that sounds right at home on TOV.
Future Cut moved away from the DnB following their Un-Cut album with Jenna G in 2002 and found huge success writing and producing for big names such as Lily Allen, Olly Murs, Shakira, Rihanna and more. But last year they announced their return and a collaborative EP with Ulterior Motive followed in May. They have also remastered a number of their classic tunes in the 168-174 Series including the '20/20 Remix' which originally appeared on the Here Comes Trouble Vol. 9 EP. It was a favourite of Brockie and you can hear it in his set at World Dance Phase 1 on 20th April 2000: