Reviewed by Gabriel Porras

As a Latin Christian, I can't help but wonder why it is that Nashville bosses have for years shown such contempt for the Latin market that, instead of signing and promoting great local talent like Rescate, they'd rather finance many a mediocre, cringe-inducing efforts by English-speaking artists (including bands like Delirious?, to their eternal shame) who should know better than to try to sell records in a language they clearly have never bothered to learn (What next? Are they now going to record in Chinese, just because it is a huge new market?). Anyway, and more to the point-this album is a lot of fun! Argentina's Rescate (meaning "Rescue") are a dazzling group of hugely talented musicians who have been playing and touring together for 12 years-and it shows! This is Rescate's sixth record, the title means "Stain Remover"- we all know what they are talking about: "You soften my harsh life/You stop me in a rushing world/You remove the stain and make me live/Stain Remover, Stain Remover!"). All music and lyrics are by Ulises Eyherabide, who is also lead singer and responsible for the art concept (lots of washing machines, bubbles and an old-style box of shining, supernatural detergent). But the rest of the band are not idle-in fact, they put together a thumping brass and rhythm section, plus two guitars and keyboards to keep us jumping all night long. In their long and distinguished career, Rescate have already shared the stage with Petra and Newsboys at international festivals in Germany and the USA. They also know their musical history and are not shy to try their skills at ska, soul, reggae, Latin and rock styles, all this with impeccable results. The "Washing Programme" (the track list) takes us on a joy-packed rollercoaster ride of musical references: from Brian Adams to Cheo Feliciano to UB40 to Madness to B52s to Ricky Martin to Kinky to Ozomatli to War to Rare Earth (for those of us with really long memories), to finish with a fantastic dance mix, all of this under the artistic direction of Juan Blas Caballero, Grammy Award-winning producer of the best Latin Hip-Hop recording of 2001. Veteran Abraham Laboriel makes his welcome presence felt on a number of tracks too. Terrific stuff!

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