Balafon Evolution Photoshooting
Aly Keïta is a renowned balafon player from the Ivory Coast who is now based in Berlin. We started working with him in 2023, organising several photo shoots before this one. In preparation for the release of his new album, Balafon Evolution, the task was to showcase the balafon as a modern instrument with afrofuturistic vibes.
Client
Aly Keïta
Year
2025
Category
Photography
Type of Work
Research
Styling & Make-Up
Photography
"The cover of Keïta’s new solo CD, Balafon Evolution, depicts him as a pop star, with the balafon reflected in his glasses. And rightly so, because Keïta is a star and a virtuoso on the balafon."
This is a quote from the album review in the Dutch media musicframes.nl, by Mattie Poels.
The idea of the location came up naturally, as we were already "charged" with the task when we accidentally passed through the tunnel, which became both a background and one of the objects of the session. The rhythmic pattern of the LED lights resembled the forms of the balafon, creating a special futuristic vibe.
The geometry worked together with the perfectly chosen look and colours. The task of emphasising Aly's unique performing style, modern approach to music and passion for his instrument was achieved through the close-up portrait, the bright red and fuchsia background, and, of course, the reflection in his glasses, which literally illustrates his obsession.
Of course, it would be boring to plan everything. Many things happened as a result of inspiration and attention to detail at the location. The final choice of picture to be used on the cover was made by the label One World Records, Carolina Vallejo.
Working with balafon is inspiring, it has beautiful textures and forms. We wanted to underline this beauty rhyming with the graphic motive of tunnel lights and it's futuristic design, showing that even being a traditional instrument, balafon looks modern and it's forms are contemporary, as well as the balafon music of Aly Keïta. It worked very well in recording CD and vinyl design layouts.
This photoset became a bright visitcard of the album release and pointed out the design ideas for the whole system of promo materials.
The pictures became a part of CD and vinyl designs, as well as the digital booklet, EPK, press photos folder. The short slow motion videoshots were used for the album promotion in the socials.
The whole process took only few hours with the professional team of Urban Lys and the experienced photographer Olha Kovalevska.
In a friendly atmosphere with jokes and creative improvements on the go this photoset is one of the brightest projects in both Urban Lys and Aly Keïta's portfolios.
