U96

U96 is a dance music project formed in Hamburg by German producers Alex Christensen, Alberto Ingo Hauss, Helmut Hoinkis and Hayo Panarinfo. The project name refers to the German submarine U 96 featured in the World War II film “Das Boot”.

The project’s first hit, Das Boot (1991), is a techno remake of the film’s original theme composed by Klaus Doldinger. The eponymous album reached number one on the German charts and played a significant role in the rise of techno and house in Germany.

The second album, “Replugged” (1993), marked a shift toward 1980s electropop, atmospheric sounds and disco. It included top‑10 singles like Love Sees No Colour and Night in Motion, with 80s techno‑pop influences reminiscent of Pet Shop Boys and New Order. Quieter tracks such as The One Russian and Without You are regarded as early examples of trip‑hop.

The third album, “Club Bizarre” (1995), introduced another change in sound, blending techno‑pop elements with faster Euro trance styles. Notable singles include Love Religion featuring singer Daisy Dee, the title track Club Bizarre, known for classical harmonies later reused by Brooklyn Bounce, and the rave‑influenced Movin'. The album was also released as an interactive CD‑ROM.

In 1996 the album “Heaven” combined commercial sounds with electropop and hi‑NRG Eurodance influences; new singer Dea-Li (Dorothy Lapi) contributed to four tracks. Subsequent singles included Seven Wonders (1997), Energie (1998), Beweg Dich, Baby (1998) and Das Boot 2001 (2000).

Instead of a new studio album, U96 released the compilation “Best Of 1991 – 2001”, which featured new tracks from an unreleased album titled “Rhythm Of Life”. Their last promotional single, We Call It Love, was released in 2003. The project returned to the German Top 30 in 2006 with the downtempo single Vorbei, featuring guest singer Ben.

Current and former members include Hayo Panarinfo (instruments and programming), Ingo Hauss (vocals, instruments and programming), Alex Christensen (frontman and DJ), Helmut Hoinkis (management) and Joshua Stolten (instruments and programming). Other contributors have been Nicole Yarling (vocals) and Steffen Häfelinger, and U96 has featured guest singers such as Daisy Dee, Carol Bailey and Lia Lane.