Emotional Rescue revisits the vibrant soundscape of King Sporty & The Ex Tras with their third release, and possibly the last, presenting the first-ever official reissue of the coveted boogie track, Do You Wanna Dance? This release arrives with remastered vocal and instrumental versions, and once again features a special Discomix, this time expertly crafted by acid-disco maestro Felix Dickinson.
Emerging soon after the success of their album, Extra Funky, Do You Wanna Dance? signaled a shift in direction for the band. It moved them further away from traditional disco and closer to the burgeoning electro-boogie rhythms that were taking over dance floors.
The track bursts forth with assertive, upbeat electro drum programming, underpinned by a funky slap bassline and Sporty’s signature guitar licks. These elements are powerfully driven by a mesmerizing synth arpeggio, radiating electric funk, while energetic hip-hop-esque shouts punctuate the rhythm. For listeners who find the vocals overwhelming, the original Instrumental (dub) version is included, offering pure, infectious groove.
Many will remember Do You Wanna Dance? from its inclusion on Felix Dickinson’s “Originals” compilation for Claremont 56 in 2011. Therefore, when the King Sporty reissue project was taking shape, Felix Dickinson was the natural choice for the Discomix. With a distinguished career as a DJ and music producer, and as the founder of influential labels like Recycled Records, Fools Gold, Urban Myth, and Bastedos, alongside numerous releases on Cynic Recordings, his remix is perfectly attuned to the track’s spirit.
Dickinson’s Discomix is a masterclass in teasing tension and release. He skillfully navigates between versions, creating a hypnotic interplay of vocals, guitar, bass, and gliding electro synths. His deft dubbing techniques elevate the track, making the question posed by the title, Do You Wanna Dance?, almost rhetorical – resistance becomes futile as both mind and body are compelled to move.
