With dance music being so pervasive these days, it's not that much of a shocker when the company a DJ keeps tends to consist mostly of DJs and producers. After all, it's not that uncommon to find DJs playing at the same overseas gigs and more often than not, finding themselves having a jig together at DC-10 while off-duty.

It therefore comes as no surprise that Liverpool-based DJ and producer. Yousef has decided to take these connections to the next level by joining forces with his talented mates on his latest EP. Aptly called "Friends", it features collaborations with the likes of Nic Fancuilli, Paul Woolford and Onionz.

Yousef has come a long way since winning the much-coveted Muzik Magazine Bedroom Bedlam in 1999; his prize of playing a Renaissance set in Pacha Ibiza soon leading him to play at Ministry of Sound and Cream. From then on, there was no looking back as Yousef was propelled into the global dance scene and began creating a name for himself. When not clocking air miles, he's busy doing remixes and producing singles with talk of a solo album also in the pipeline.

Even with a hectic schedule, this larger than life and affable DJ has not forgotten his roots back home. Every DJ has a soft spot for a certain exotic city or an upcoming dance scene but, "I still love Liverpool best," maintains Yousef. "There's a growing vibrant music scene there that I want to help cultivate", he says with sheer determination.

It is refreshing that a DJ like Yousef, who has accomplished a lot and been on the scene for quite some time, has not become slightly jaded. He talks about the changing trend in dance music and points out that although there isn't much money to be made from making music these days, there are other avenues, if one is hardworking and innovative enough.

"The era of download is bad for music producers and DJs," he admits. "People aren't interested in buying a single when it can easily be obtained from the computer." That probably explains why "Friends" is being released as an E since the likelihood of an EP being purchased is higher than singles.

"A DJ has an idea and knows what will fill dancefloors and the sound engineer has the technical knowledge in putting the track together. It's a brilliant combination."

However, as Yousef has shown with Circus, there are other ways to succeed and one of them is by creating your own night -- and ensuring that it becomes a success. "I do work very hard on Circus," Yousef says. "Sometimes, it's hard to juggle tour schedules, being in the studio and planning the nights for Circus." The fact that Circus is going from strength to strength with a dedicated following and was awarded the BBC Radio One 'Club Of The Year' just two years after it began, proves that it is all worth it.

Yousef, who cites Derrick Carter and Carl Cox as his favourite DJs, reckons that the next five years will set the tone for dance music. "The scene is undergoing a period of massive change. It will be harder for new DJs to break through, because it is not about excellent mixing skills anymore. Consistent, creative and solid producing skills are needed as well," Yousef says.

This is because it will be through music production that a DJ becomes known and booked for gigs, since that is where the real money is. "It will be tougher because it will be through your singles, mixed CDs and remixes that you will be picked up," advises Yousef to those who aspire to break into the scene. These days too, it is becoming the norm for sound engineers to work together with DJs in music production. "A DJ has an idea and knows what will fill dancefloors and the sound engineer has the technical knowledge in putting the track together. It's a brilliant combination," he enthuses eagerly, when RA touches on the point in which some DJs are using sound engineers to create tracks, rather than relying on their own expertise.

Dance music is not stagnating -- at least from Yousef's point of view. He scorns the media that seems to follow only what's cool and advise it's dangerous to just adhere to one thing that's deemed fashionable by several 'trend-setters' because the scene is extremely varied. "There's so much music out there and really, you have to listen to your heart", says Yousef passionately.

Yousef will be kicking off 2006 with a move to London which will no doubt create an interesting buzz in the scene there. In the meantime, fans worldwide can check out "Yousef - Friends : A Collaboration of Beats" out now on Carioca.