Hypercolour rocks up again in 2008 with more quality techno-house from some of the most exciting new producers around… First up this year is Berlin-based Jaxson, a regular fixture on the German DJ circuit and renowned party promoter. Part of the hotly tipped circle of upcoming producer/DJs that includes DJ Emerson, Dave Shokh and Sven Brede (based around the Kiddaz.fm / Playmate label axis), his sound is bright, taut, spacey, and brimming with funky syncopation and refined dancefloor energy. ‘Shit Happens’ works a breezy bass groove with the odd disco flutter, while synthy flutters drift away to the sides. Featuring a sweet breakdown and a wriggling, writhing percussion section, it’s a versatile club track for modern tech-house floors. ‘Brunchpunch’ is a dubbier, moodier affair, with stripped back drum clips providing a subtle foil for echo-drenched stabs and a deep, burbling b-line. Restrained enough for late-night airings but with a solid dancefloor pulse, it’s a masterful combination of classic deep techno motifs and up-to-the-minute production finesse. Next up is a brand new edit of Jaxson’s acclaimed ‘Smokemachine’, which featured as one of the highlights on Claude Von Stroke’s At The Controls mix CD recently. Reworked in conjunction with Sven Brede, the ‘London Edit’ beefs up the tribal content of the original, while leaving that twinkling piano motif firmly in the foreground for a rolling, dramatic club monster, 2008-style. And as a digital-only bonus, check the vocal cut-ups of ‘Need Down’, a tracky, straight-line groover with an elastic bottom-end and a smattering of ominous synths. Functional, mix-friendly, and infused with just the right amount of dancefloor attitude, it’s a fine testament to Jaxson’s considerable production talents.