Romano, synthesizer wizard and a hidden creative force behind much of Tel Aviv's vibrant musical scene, unveils his debut solo album, Güle Güle, for Batov Records. A cinematic journey through groove, nostalgia, and diverse cultural soundscapes, the album showcases Romano's rich musical heritage and cutting-edge creativity, building a unique sound worldwide from influences as vast as funk, disco, reggae, to Latin America, the Balkans and particularly the Middle East. Lior Romano grew up in a Turkish-Egyptian heritage household, surrounded by music. Turkish and Egyptian, naturally, but also Greek, and the unique fusion of Greek and Arabic sounds common to the culturally diverse neighborhood he grew up in. At the same time, he gravitated towards global legends such as Stevie Wonder, Jackie Mittoo, Omar Souleyman, and Aris San, in love with sounds, increasingly the sounds of synthesizers. He eventually went on to tour with internationally renowned artists such as Ester Rada and Yossi Fine (David Bowie). These experiences saw him perform at iconic venues and festivals around the globe, opening for superstars like Alicia Keys and Sting. He also recorded with like-minds, such as Sababa 5 before launching his own group, Baharat, known for their distinctive take on Middle Eastern surf music. Romano's upbringing in a multicultural family certainly shaped Güle Güle into a crossroads of sound. From Turkish flatbreads to Ethiopian border rhythms, each track draws deeply from personal and global traditions. "Sandman," a collaboration with Tal Sandman of Sandman Project, herself a huge exponent of Ethio-inspired grooves, begins with a melody Romano playfully "stole" from her, resulting in an electric guitar-driven funk jam with a strong hint of Moroccan Gnawa, reflecting their deep camaraderie and shared artistic vision. "Hai Hai," a spirited reinterpretation of an Israeli Eurovision hit, featuring vocals by Rotem Bahar of the Şatellites, interweaves Hebrew, Turkish, and disco influences, revitalizing the original arrangement with a vibrant, modern feel. Güle Güle was never planned as an album, but as they worked together across various projects, Batov Records' DJ Kobayashi realized Lior was a "genius," who had perfectly captured the Middle Eastern groove sound he was searching for across the tracks he was sharing. Having adopted a much more personal approach to creating music, Romano created a special world of sound that moves the body, warms the heart, and takes the mind on an incredible journey.