Zinno

Zinno was a Belgian synthpop/New Wave/Eurodance duo established by cartoonist Frédéric Jannin (opens in a new tab) (b. 1956) with fellow comedian and radio/TV producer Hugh Jempy, né Jean-Pierre Hautier (1955—2012). The project's debut single in 1985 became a major breakthrough hit, dominating European radio charts with releases in many countries. Zinno disbanded in 1989 as none of the subsequent singles even remotely matched the initial success. In 2005, Jannin released the Zinno's Hits And Clips (Belgium 2005) (opens in a new tab) CD compilation on his Vulcain Records private imprint.
The more experienced half of the duo, Fred "Balls" Jannin (opens in a new tab), co-founded an iconic novelty New Wave/synthpop band The Bowling Balls in the late 1970s, that began as a plot element and "inner joke" in Jannin's prolific comic strip, continued as a full-fledged hoax, and ultimately transformed into a real ensemble with several 7" singles released by Ariola between April 1980 and September 1981. The main driving force behind the unusual collective was a powerhouse production duo of Jannin with rock journalist Bert Bertrand (opens in a new tab) (son of the legendary comics scriptwriter Yvan Delporte (1928—2007), one Fred's early patrons and mentors). In February 1983, Bertrand's suicide put the aspiring group and their fruitful collaboration to a tragic and abrupt end.
By 1985, Jannin decided to revive his musical activities and established Zinno with a fellow comedian and TV/radio personality, Hugh Jempy. Their debut self-produced 12" single, What's Your Name? — a quirky synthpop cover of Monty Norman's classic Dr. No's "James Bond" theme — came out on Belgian Magic Records (opens in a new tab) and became an instant airplay hit across Europe, shortly re-released in Germany, Sweden, France, Italy, UK, and Canada. The sophomore Money Is Honey 7"/12" on Magic in 1986, co-released with WEA in France, went barely noticed. Zinno began collaborating with Telex, signing to the band's Magnetic (opens in a new tab) label and Telex Something publishing the following year and releasing their third 12" single, Get Up And Boogie (Belgium 1987) (opens in a new tab) — featuring a cover on Silver Convention's 1976 eponymous disco blockbuster.
In 1988, Zinno's fourth 7"/12" single, Blackaya, became an inaugural release on Who's That Beat?, a newly-established Belgian dance sub-label of Play It Again Sam; the record quickly drifted into obscurity without significant exposure to a mainstream audience. The new imprint, however, soon gained traction, presenting releases by local Belgian artists, like T99, and licensing "cutting-edge" underground dance electronica, from US acid house pioneers Phuture to WestBam from Germany. In the last attempt to save Zinno from pitiful "one hit wonder" fate, Jannin and Hautier sought the help of an outside producer, partnered with Serge Ramaekers in 1989. The duo presented Russian Roulette (Belgium 1989) (opens in a new tab) and What's Your Name? - The Return (Belgium 1989) (opens in a new tab) 12-inches on Who's That Beat. Unfortunately, neither release did particularly well and the project soon dissolved.