Heck no. Although Blues (as in, MJ Blues) is usually danced very close, the physical contact doesn't have to be there, and the musical awareness is almost a pre-requisite.
Blues is very intimate dancing, but physical contact is almost an irrelevance within that. Watch the top dancers and although the movements, eye contact, sensuality and overall mood of the dance is extremely intimate, the physical contact is often far less intimate than a welcome hug to a friend.
The best blues dancers could dance with an air gap and still be displaying the musicality, the attitude and the connection to their partner that epitomises blues (to me).
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