„At the beginning of November 1998 a huge and strong hurricane approached Central America and it started raining. Too much rain over paradise.“

This introduction is heard on every single track on this EP. Sometimes also in German and Spanish. Hurricane Mitch was so devastating, that a group of mostly German DJs and producers came together for a charity project. As UNITED DEEJAYS FOR CENTRAL AMERICA they produced each one track that was released on one EP. 3 DM per sold CD were donated to Doctors Without Borders. While the cause was undeniably good, the music itself wasn’t that much.

If this release has one flaw, then that it’s pretty much „of its time“. The sound is dominated by the chart compatible Trance-ish tunes of the late 90s/early 00s. That’s charmingly nostalgic, but I can’t see anybody today actually playing any of these tracks at a DJ set or even at home. They are all a bit middle of the road.

Track 1 is credited to Red 5 Vs Hypertrophy and gives out a certain Ibiza vibe. It’s a nice, little Trance track, that is an easy listen, but doesn’t stick at all. The ATB Vs Woody van Eyden mix is a bit better in that regard. It’s a bit more atmospheric and the use of a similar guitar hook as in ATB’s megahit 9PM (TIL I COME) makes it memorable, although of course also less original. It’s hard not to think „What a one trick pony“ when you hear it.

Surprisingly the version by DJ Sakin & Friends, who are best known for an incredibly cheesy remix of the BRAVEHEART theme (Including the lyrics „Braveheart, you are my Braveheart“) deliver a surprisingly tight production here. Again it’s an unremarkable Trance track, but feels a bit more darker and sinister. As if the message was „Dance, but remember, this is serious.“ Track 4 is from *checks notes* Marc Et Claude present: Bruce Wayne Vs DJ Errik. So that’s quite the credit. Most of that track is another run of the mill Trancer, but with a nice Flute riff that makes it stand out for a bit.

Kosmonova Vs Two Vibes (Man, for something that was made for a good cause, many of the producers seem to fight each other!) has maybe the most energy so far, but sadly boils down to being another interchangeable Trance track. With Klubbheads DJ Team behind track 6, you know that this will be a party banger. It’s not like they leave their comfort zone, but their Hard House track adds a welcome variety, compared to the previous tracks on here.

I only know Oliver Momm as one of the DJs from Radio Eins Live back in the 90s. His end of the year Mash Up Style GIGAMIX was always a highlight. So it’s too bad that his track is just another Trance one. At least the orchestra samples make it feel bigger than the rest. And after that, Kai Tracid & Silent Breed (No Vs this time) bring out the 303 for a pumping bassline. Too bad that in the end their version just sits there and doesn’t do much, but the dark soundscape of that one sounds almost experimental!

Track 9 is credited to Piet Blank & Jaspa Jones Vs Gorgeous, which is quite funny, considering that Blank & Jones and Gorgeous are the same people. And yeah, this is pretty much a typical Blank & Jones track. Well made, but nothing special. The Moguai Vs Phil Fuldner (Again: What’s up with all the versuses? Versi? VS’s?) mix comes with great expectations. These two are, together with Blank & Jones, 25 years later still big names in the scene. And yes, their track is a bit more grooving and pumping and Tech Housey, but far from being the most memorable track from either of these two.

DJ Tomcraft takes the thing into darker directions again, with a low end heavy bassline, but when it’s over, you will think „Huh, that was all?“ And last but not least, Sash! Vs Bossi give us a track that sounds a bit like what Tomcraft’s version should’ve been. They both go well together, but this one feels more complete and less boring.

Oof, okay, you probably noticed that I am not the biggest fan of this EP. I do appreciate that it exists. Seriously, it’s awesome that a bunch of DJs and producers pulled this off for a good cause. And it was a success too! Maybe not the chartbreaker that everybody hoped for, but with 13 weeks in the German Top 100 and peaking at #13 in its fifth week, I can imagine that it earned some good money for Doctors Without Borders.

But I guess how quickly it was put together and was released good two months after the desaster, might have prevented it from becoming a classic. Not one track on here truly sticks. It can be forgiven. It was for charity and the sound was at the time quite popular but yeah…I don’t know. It’s a time capsule. Nothing more, nothing less. I would still love to see more projects like that.