Guest Selector: Yousef

DJ, producer, remixer, promoter, record label owner... the tireless Yousef has worn many hats during his esteemed career. Having created one of Liverpool's most relentlessly successful clubs in the form of Circus (as well as associated label Circus Recordings), it makes perfect sense that he'd be asked to curate House Nation, a celebration of the city's contribution to the continued evolution of house music as part of this year's Liverpool International Music Festival. 

He's selected a line-up that takes in three representatives from further afield, whose own cities have made remarkable contributions to the genre. For New York, there's Objektivity's Dennis Ferrer; meanwhile Reboot flies the flag for Frankfurt; Mexico City's own Hector demonstrates the power of his Vatos Locos crew; while rising star Lewis Boardman ensures there's an element of local flavour in what promises to be an unmissable event. Ahead of LIMF, Yousef reveals five tracks that illustrate what house means to him in 2016.

Floorplan – Spin

[M-Plant, 2016]

I'm a huge fan of Robert Hood, especially in his Floorplan guise. His brand of techno has a housier edge to it and helps connects the dots in my sets – most Floorplan records are great DJ tools that simply smash it. I've played this track every set since early May.

Gary Beck – Barefoot Sunday

[BEK Audio, 2016]

Another banger – I have to have the right crowd to play it to. It's another DJ tool and something I will chop in and out of – more of a big room or festival record, but typically Beck: nasty, but with that playful edge.

Marco Carola – Play It Loud! (Mihalis Safras remix)​

[Circus Recordings, 2016]

Already set to become one of the musical highlights at Ibiza this summer, signing this to my label Circus Recordings was quite a coup. Mihalis has delivered an incredible remix and it's going to re-evaluate his already-growing presence globally – similar to what remixing (Green Velvet's) Bigger Than Prince did for Hot Since 82, also on Circus Recordings.

Philip Bader – Super Tec (Original mix)

[Elrow Music, 2016]

For me this is Phillip's best cut to to date. It's tracky and relentless and has playful but creepy hook, which works both in festivals and clubs. More please, Phil!

Yousef & Reboot – Frankfurt (Original mix)

[Circus Recordings, 2016]

Liverpool has been declared a world heritage city for music and I've been asked to represent the electronic music side of things.

For LIMF Presents, we have curated House Nation, whereby I've been asked to produce music with three of the artists taking part – here is where I team up with the legendary Reboot. House Nation culminates in a really cool gig in the most beautiful setting in Liverpool, a small but amazing 400 capacity gig at Liverpool's Iconic Palm House.

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LIMF Presents: House Nation, Fri 22 July, 5pm to midnight, Sefton Park Palm House; tickets here.