ContirbutorFresh off the back of the release of his groove ridden ‘Reachin’ Out’ EP, we caught up with Funky French League’s Young Pulse to take a deeper look into this infectious collection of work, the history of the Funky French League collective and more.
MI4L – Let’s start with Funky French League! How did the collective come together, and what was the vision behind it?
Young Pulse – We started Funky French League six or seven years ago with DaBeull, DJ Asko, MonsieurWilly, Uncle T, Woody Braun, Chaps, and myself. We all knew each other as DJs and often found ourselves on the same line-ups for funk, disco, and groove nights in Paris. It made sense to take things further by organizing our own parties and events—that’s how the collective was born.
Shortly after, we started putting out mixtapes, edits, and original productions while securing deals with major companies to release official compilations and remixes. That’s also when we decided to launch our own label.
MI4L – What are the benefits of running a label as a collective rather than solo? How does that impact creativity and collaboration?
Young Pulse – Everyone in the crew brings a unique perspective and skill set, which helps us all grow. In the studio for example, this synergy leads to great results. For example, Woody Braun is very creative but doesn’t have my mixing and mastering skills, while MonsieurWilly brings yet another approach. Together, it all makes for a great combo.
MI4L – Your new EP Reaching Out blends boogie and electro-funk with a modern twist. What inspired the overall sound of this project?
Young Pulse – I was honored to receive praise from the legendary Arthur Baker, who told me that “the EP really captures that late ’70s – early ’80s sound.” A big part of my record collection comes from that era, so it has definitely influenced my productions in some way. But like all my work, everything came naturally—I didn’t plan to make a track in a specific way or start with a clear idea in mind. If I can dance to my own tracks, I know they’re ready to be released, and that’s exactly the case with this fresh new EP.
MI4L – You worked with Fleur De Mur and Wayata on this EP—how did those collaborations come about? What did they bring to the table?
Young Pulse – Fleur De Mur and I first connected while working on my single “Smooth Sweet Talker” for Glitterbox. She later came to my studio in Paris, where we listened to the production I had done, and she started writing lyrics. It all happened really fast—she’s an amazing songwriter, artist, and collaborator.
As for Wayata, I had already worked with him as a studio musician on a few of my tracks. He’s a talented young musician who plays multiple instruments, and I wanted to feature him on a track beyond just a studio credit. I came up with the idea for the song, and he started laying down guitar, bass, and keys in my studio. The process was quick. Later on, I added the lyrics and vintage vocoder lines, but by the end of that session, 90% of the work was already done.
MI4L – The title track Reachin’ Out feels like a perfect mix of classic and contemporary funk. What was the creative process behind it?
Young Pulse – I came up with the synth bass idea about 10 minutes before Wayata was supposed to arrive at the studio and quickly played a beat to go with it. As soon as he got there, we started laying down his parts—mainly bass, guitar, and a few keyboard sections.
I really wanted to keep that raw ’80s electro-funk feel, with a touch of Rick James, Kleeer, and Gap Band. Then, I wrote the vocal parts and used a vintage Roland vocoder to stay true to that classic vibe. We went through a few different mixes until we were both fully satisfied, and that’s how Reachin’ Out was born.
MI4L – Love Addict has a great groove—what’s the story behind this track, and why did you choose to do an extended version?
Young Pulse – The whole production was already finished when I suggested to Fleur that she sing on it while she was traveling in Europe. She came to my studio, and we started working on it.
What I find interesting in the extended version is its long intro, inspired by early ’80s club tracks and remixes from pioneers like Larry Levan, Tony Humphries, François K, and all the original cats in the game. The intro gradually leads into the main song. Fleur perfectly captured the vibe—we jammed in the studio until we found the right angle, and then she wrote the lyrics, adding her magic touch with a modern pop feel. That’s how Love Addict was born.
MI4L – Lose Control has a high-energy vibe—how did this track take shape, and what were your influences for it?
Young Pulse – I was in the countryside for a music residency when I produced Lose Control. I actually made two tracks with a similar bassline, and this is the one I decided to keep.
At first, I wrote a storytelling-style song in French, but then I tried another version in English with a different story—and that’s the one you hear in the final version. On the day I was supposed to deliver the track, I jammed a bit on my Prophet and kept adding synth parts, which ended up making the track even stronger and funkier.
My influences on this one range from anything early ’80s—from Prince to the Bar-Kays—somewhere between funk, electro-funk, and boogie. And yes, that’s me singing on it.
MI4L – When working on music, do you start with a melody, a groove, or something else? How do your tracks usually come to life?
Young Pulse – It really depends… Sometimes I start with a beat, other times I’m just playing around on my synths, and inspiration comes naturally. A lot of ideas also come from me singing instrumental parts, which I then record.
I have a good instinct for finding the right balance between vocals and music, so I usually record everything first. Then, I decide what needs to be reworked by musicians or singers. Once everything is in place, the mixing process begins—another form of creativity that brings the final recording to life.
MI4L – What are your plans for the rest of the year? More solo projects, Funky French League releases, or live shows?
Young Pulse – I’ve recently dropped some new tracks on labels like Toy Tonics, Dippin’ Records, and Frappé, with even more on the way! I’m working on remixes, edits, and new releases on FFL, plus collaborating with incredible artists like Barbara Tucker, Jamie 3:26, and Danou P, just to name a few. I’m also in the process of creating my first album, which will be 100% originals, blending disco and house music. Keep an eye out for me at more shows and festivals, in addition to my monthly night, DISCOvery, at Paris’ soulful DJOON club!
MI4L – Finally, what’s one record or artist that has been inspiring you lately? Any recommendations for fans of your sound?
Young Pulse – Saucy Lady is one of the most complete artists I truly appreciate in today’s boogie scene, but honestly, I can’t name just one. I’m also a huge fan of what Ezel is putting out in the soulful house realm, and I’m loving the sound of my man and bass player, Daniel Monaco, from Italy. Let’s not forget the Space Grapes label—one of the best things to happen in the underground disco scene in recent years. Their releases from live acts like Another Taste and Jeroboam (aka Echoes Of) are top-notch. In fact, we’ve got a solid party, EAST SIDE FUNK, in collaboration with Jeroboam (aka Echoes Of) and Funky French League on the east side of Paris, where we vibe with these amazing acts. So, if you’re in Paris, don’t miss it!
Young Pulse’s ‘Reachin’ Out’ EP is out now and available here.