The Elgins resulted as a merger between the Downbeats and Sandra Mallett; both acts recorded singles on Tamla prior to becoming the Elgins. Johnny Dawson, Cleo "Duke" Miller, and Robert Fleming recorded "Your Baby's Back" as the Downbeats, which is not included on this set. Sandra recorded "It's Gonna Be Hard Times," backed by the Vandellas and released in 1962, which is included. Their first Motown release, "Darling Baby," was initially labeled as the Downbeats, but the company quickly corrected the error by slapping Elgin stickers over the misprinted labels. By this time, Sandra's last name had changed to Edwards. Darling Baby displays the Elgins' versatility. Half the LP is good classic Motown, while the other half is average Southern soul. A male singer handles the deep soul tracks, which have all the ambience of recordings produced in Memphis or Muscle Shoals. The classic Motown tracks, however, glisten like precious stones. "Darling Baby" is one of Holland, Dozier, and Holland's most charming creations; its soulful, slinky doo wop beat provides the backdrop for some crafty crooning by the fellas and a soulful lead by Sandra. Sandra's solo release "It's Going to Be Hard Times" is a sentimental declaration that borders on blues; "I Understand My Man" has a similar production and is probably a leftover solo track. The rollicking "Heaven Must Have Sent You" is one the finest examples of Motown, and still sounds fresh after more than 30 years. More of that classic sound would have made this a super album.