Xkaliba is a nine-fingered (yes, nine) DJ from St. Croix who's been on the Cruzan reggae scene for several years, contributing tracks to VI compilations like Weep Not and Itinualjah. Although the digital dancehall-inclined "Baptized in the Ghetto," "Bling Bling," and "Enjoy Life" were featured on those albums, I don't think they represent the best Xkaliba has to offer. Rather, it's the more laid-back, rooty tracks on Baptized in the Ghetto -- "Jah Rescue Me," "Help the Poor" (featuring Midnite's Vaughn Benjamin and producer Donny Dread), "Jealousy," "Tell the Children," "Reggae King" -- that shine brightest. It's in these instances that his old-school, deliberate flow seems most at home, and when combined with his keen social observation -- discussing materialistic women on "Bling Bling," hoping for less bias in education on "Tell the Children," detailing Haile Selassie's life achievements on "Tell Me Bout Seleassie," bigging up Bob Marley with wonderful wordplay in "Reggae King," and even reliving the loss of his finger on "Loose a Finger" -- he reminds me a bit of pioneering DJ Macka B. There's a likeable earnestness and humility about Xkaliba's performance that will serve him well as his career progresses; Baptized in the Ghetto is a fine start in the right direction. See groundbreakingrecords.com.