One of the UK’s most celebrated and accomplished DJ’s and House Music producers, Yousef, celebrates 30 amazing years in the music industry with the release of his brilliant fifth artist album, ‘I Operate In Purple’, which lands on his highly-lauded Circus Recordings.
Having risen to various personal challenges in recent years, in response, Yousef has channelled his creative energies to create a body of uplifting music – transforming darkness into colour. Unlike his last album, ‘9 More Drive’, ‘I Operate In Purple’ replaces melancholy with a pursuit of joy and happiness. Assembling a constellation of international talent including, Baby Girl, Kuuda, Bodacious Thang, Alexx, and Yasmin, Yousef has crafted 14 superb new tracks that journey across the house music spectrum, weaving together original compositions, live vocals, and high class musicianship thanks to collaborator, master Tim Hutton, presenting one of his finest bodies of work to date, brimming with both innovation and heartfelt nostalgia.
Each album track pulses with the experience and gratitude of an artist who has lived and breathed house music across three decades, with melodies that shimmer and grooves that speak to the heart of the dance floor. From the already massive single release ‘Higher Place’ ft. Kuuda, to the sassy tribute to house music, ‘In My Shoes’ ft. Bodacious Thang, and the fabulous ‘I Feel Good’ ft. Alexx, each song is infused with a spirit of resilience and renewal, echoing the vibrant journeys that have defined Yousef’s sound.
In addition, Yousef sent Calvin Harris his album and Calvin loved ‘Higher Place’ and made his own radio version as a gift for Yousef, turning a great club tune into a killer radio-ready slammer, which also features on the album. Collaborators bring their distinct voices and styles, resulting in a rich palette that spans soulful anthems and late-night club burners. With the album single releases already supported by the world’s most famous DJs from Carl Cox to Calvin Harris, Marco Carola to Mister Jam and Michael Bibi to Danny Howard, ‘I Operate In Purple’ hails another outstanding chapter in Yousef’s vast musical legacy.
“‘I Operate in Purple’ stands as a heartfelt thank you – a celebration of the journey, the community, and the music that shaped me”. – Yousef
Yousef’s contribution to dance music over the last 30 years has been nothing short of enormous, he is one of the true innovators and pioneers of the scene. With a plethora of single releases to boast on his own Circus Recordings, Yousef has also graced labels such as Cocoon, Desolat, Crosstown Rebels, Defected, Bpitch control, Moon Harbour, Knee Deep In Sound, FFRR and so many more. His diverse remix portfolio boats reworks for the likes Sven Vath, Four Tet, Chaka Khan, Derrick Carter, Fatboy Slim to name a few. To date, Yousef has release 4 acclaimed albums; ‘A Collection Of Scars And Situations’ (2009), ‘A Product Of Your Environment’ (2012), ‘In The Process Of Eight’ (2015) and ‘9 Moor Drive’ (2019) – all testament to his boundless creativity and prowess when it comes to producing first class dance music.
As a DJ Yousef has been consistently lighting up the worlds finest dance floors across the globe, gracing stages at the world’s biggest festivals and most vibrant clubs, and has performed B2B DJ sets with Laurent Garnier, Carl Cox, Nic Fanciulli, and Eats Everything and more. Yousef ‘s “Circus” event in his native Liverpool is now part of dance music folk law, a 24 year DJ residency inviting the world’s best and hottest DJs and artists to join him in his multi award winning warehouse rave up…
You can now listen to the full premiere of ‘Nothing But Love’ exclusively on When We Dip Radio. Enjoy!
WWD: You’re about to release your fantastic new artist album ‘I Operate In Purple’ on Circus Recordings, what we can expect to hear?
Absolutely! With ‘I Operate In Purple’, listeners can look forward to a vibrant homage to house music in all its forms. This album explores the full spectrum of the genre, and I set out to capture its spirit by collaborating with outstanding vocalists, songwriters, and musicians who helped bring my vision to life.
WWD: Musically, how does it differ from your previous albums and what did you set out to achieve this time?
With this album, I challenged myself to push beyond familiar territory. While my earlier work has always been rooted in the foundations of house, ‘I Operate In Purple’ is both a progression and a statement – a tapestry woven from the classic grooves that inspired me and the contemporary energy that keeps the dance floor alive today. I made a conscious effort to experiment with new textures, unexpected rhythms, and to invite a wider range of voices into the creative process. The result is a record that feels at once deeply personal and undeniably communal: it’s full of moments designed to surprise, uplift, and move people, whether they’re listening on a late-night drive or sharing space with a crowd at one of our Circus parties.
WWD: Are you pleased with how it all came together?
Absolutely, seeing the album come together has been incredibly rewarding. Each step of the process, from the initial sketches of ideas to the final mixes, brought fresh inspiration and unexpected creative turns. There were challenges along the way, as there always are when you’re striving for something new, but ultimately, I’m proud of how the project evolved. The artists, producers, and friends who joined me on this journey all brought something unique, and the finished album is a testament to that shared vision and passion. I genuinely believe it’s my most cohesive and adventurous record yet, and I can’t wait for people to experience these tracks, both on their own and as part of the wider Circus community.
WWD: Who was involved in the project?
Many talented individuals contributed to the project. Tim Hutton, a masterful musician, played across much of the album, while Alex IDQ was behind the mixing. Kuuda wrote and performed on two songs, and Alexx, BabyGirl, and Yasmin Jane all brought their voices and songwriting to the record as well. Interestingly, this is the first album where I didn’t write any of the lyrics myself – a new experience for me. Beyond the singers, musicians, and mix engineers, there was an entire community of friends, family, and peers who joined me on the journey. Demo after demo, this legion of supporters offered their honest, constructive feedback on every aspect of the music. For me, unfiltered truth is invaluable – there’s no use in sugarcoating things when you’re striving for something authentic.
WWD: What are the influences behind the album?
My decades immersed in acid house and house music – first as a raver, then as a DJ – have deeply influenced this album. I wanted to pay tribute to the pioneers like Frankie Knuckles and David Morales, and give a respectful nod to artists such as BT and Basement Jaxx. The sounds of disco and Latin music also found their way into the mix. Every club and festival I’ve played at over the past 20-plus years has shaped how I approached this project. I made the album with the same philosophy I bring to DJing: play from the heart, entertain with honesty, and focus on the music I truly love rather than chasing grand gestures or the showbiz side of things. After decades in the game, I’m choosing a path that’s all about authenticity and passion, and that spirit is woven through every track on this record – the feeling always comes first.
WWD: Which track on the album was the biggest labour of love to make?
Each track brought its own set of joys and challenges, but if I had to single one out, it would be “I Feel Good.” That song evolved through countless iterations, transforming every time a new voice or instrumental layer was added. Alexx from LA opted for a complete re-sing and rewrote the lyrics too. There were moments when I doubted whether we’d ever capture the emotional core I was searching for, but with patience and collaboration, although its album only and never a single, it finally bloomed into a piece that feels both exhilarating and intimate. The journey to get there was a true testament to the creative process – sometimes the tracks that ask the most of you end up giving the most back.
WWD: Why “purple”?
Purple has always felt intrinsically mine, almost like a thread running through my life since childhood. I was irresistibly drawn to anything purple – clothes, shoes, everyday objects – as if the colour chose me as much as I chose it. To me, purple symbolises positivity, strength, motivation, and dignity, especially during challenging times.
WWD: Your Circus Recordings label has been running since 2009, what have been the biggest highlights for you?
Though it’s just my friend Tom and me running the label, we’ve built an impressive catalogue. I personally sign every track based on whether it feels right, mainly focusing on house music without chasing trends. The label’s goal is consistent quality from start to finish, with standout releases from artists like Green Velvet, Carl Cox, Hot Since 82, Jamie Jones, Kerri Chandler, Darius Syrossian, Camelphat, Maxine, Jansons, and myself. We value both established and emerging artists equally, supporting everyone as part of one team.
WWD: You’ve also been running your brilliant Circus parties now for over a couple of decades, what’s the secret to keeping a club night running for so long and what makes the Circus parties so special?
Success comes from persistence, ambition, and a willingness to face challenges for the love of the rave. Richard (my partner in circus since day 1) and I support each other to keep our Circus events among the best in the UK and beyond. Blackstone Warehouse is now one of the safest and best-equipped venues in the country, and we prioritise both safety and uniqueness at every event. Staying independent after 23 years keeps everything fresh. Circus is an event company now too, we book and run events for every major artist in the world, so if I’m not playing like on the more commercial or hard techno events it’s still our event typically
WWD: And what Circus events have you go coming up?
Everyone from Chris Stussy, Rossi, East End Dubs, Marco Carola, I Hate Models, Denis Cruz, Franky Rizardo, Mochack, Josh Baker, Max Dean and endless more all before Christmas, all starting this Saturday for Circus Birthday with Joseph Capriati, Seth Troxler, Gaskin, Fleur Shore, Omar +, Mau P and me playing I Operate in Purple with Kuuda LIVE! 🙂
WWD: Throughout your career, what’s been your biggest learning curve?
Before Covid, I toured frequently, believing I was healthy and present for my kids, but that wasn’t the case. Now, I tour occasionally, prioritise my children and health, and put creative work third. Managing circus events and the label allows me to limit touring, as I now recognise its negative impact on my health and happiness. Touring is fun and exciting but its brutal on your health.
WWD: And you biggest triumph?
When Circus, Liverpool Council, and I organised “the first dance” – the UK’s first sanctioned event after COVID – we had just three weeks to prepare and we had to assume all financial risk, and coordinating ticketing and covid testing for 6,000 attendees, it was extremely challenging, but we succeeded. It remains the most memorable moment of my career, and the behind-the-scenes story deserves a documentary!
WWD: Do you ever have moments when you say, ‘oh I’m tired of all this and want to retire’? What keeps you motivated and where do you see yourself going musically in the future?
Sometimes I feel that way, but even as I’m choosing to tour less, my passion for gigs remains strong. I thought my last album was it, but now I’m more inspired than ever to create new music. The key is moderation and keeping a sense of wonder. Next, I’m returning to my roots and, with advanced stem separation software, plan to produce energetic club EPs focused on fun rather than storytelling.
WWD: What else is in the pipeline that you can tell us about?
I have several creative ideas, especially in podcasting, and aim to strengthen my record label. I also plan to start a mentoring program and improve my fitness. My main goals are to be a great dad, make excellent music, and contribute positively to the world.
It’s a cliché but put happiness first and you’ll be ok, the key is finding what truly makes you happy.
WWD: Thanks for chatting with When We Dip.
Thanks a lot guys!
Release Date: September 26th, 2025. Buy Here
Yousef: Instagram / SoundCloud
Circus Recordings: Instagram / SoundCloud