Oktbrwrld sounds like someone wants to force you to buy a vowel. Or maybe someone suffers from dyslexia. Actually you should pronounce it Octoberworld and you will remember their name not because of the missing vowels but because of their good music.
Why did they named their band Oktbrwrld you may ask. Like the band states "October represents the fall sesaon considered to be the high point of all sesaons, when the harvest of spring's labor is reaped. Autumn is known to create a mellowness and sense of relaxation as mankind enjoys the last fruits of summer. The vibe that we send and share in our music and performance is our attempt to create a world in which humanity can experience Autumn's spirit perpetually...if only for the time we're together".
Oktbrwrld was founded by guitarist/songwriter Elnathan Kenyatta Starnes and the band describes their music as Alternative Rhythm & Blues. The other three members are Nina Lane (vocals, percussion), Adwoa Spencer (guitar, vocals, percussion) and Oumar Diallo (bass, vocals). Like the album title suggests It's All About The Band, and that's Oktbrwrld's maxim that can be heard throughout the whole album with all band members writing the songs and playing the music with the focus on the music and not on stressing their egos.
Their music has that special hand-made, organic sound with a nice live feeling to it. Oktbrwrld's style ranges from funk-rock (La Di Da Dey, Game Of The Heart) to acapella (I Love You and the interlude Aahhhh!) to soul (He's So Fine or I Play The Game).
Some of the songs and their vibe like He's So Fine or Livin Like Wild Dogs reminds me of Kofy Brown's last album, which is no bad thing since Area 32 was really a good album as is It's All About The Band.
Lyricwise Oktbrwrld offer some lascivious lyrics like on Game Of The Heart ("Well you knew I weren't no lady / When you met me late that night / I was drinking two-fisted / And looking for a fight / Had my worn down cowboy boots on / Flashing my tattoos / Sucking on a cigarette and listening to the blues / I said "Young boy take your chances. I'll make a man outta you!"") or on Sexxy ("You drink whiskey but I drink wine / You wear the watch but I keep the time / You're so delicious but I'm tasty / You may be fine, but I'm sexy"). But there's also the spiritual moving soul of Give Me Your Need ("Eternal Heart fill the vessel you have made / Bring full circle the plan you've made / Will's divine when the ego's put away / I will follow the road you lay") or the social consciousness of Vernality ("We can learn from FLOWER POWER / Like how they all just get along / They Bloom in infinite varieties... / And, not on be droppin' a bomb!! / Can't you see?!").
To sum it up, It's All About The Band is a really good album full of energy made by people who love their music and but their heart into it.