LOS ANGELES (AP) ¿ Angie Stone has come a long way, baby. In fact, she's just happy to be alive ¿ and making music.

The soul singer's single "Baby'', off her newly released album "The Art of Love and War" on the revived Stax label, is a top 30 hit on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart.

Last year though, Stone, best known for songs like "Brotha" and "No More Rain'', was sick, in the hospital for a few days to treat congestive heart failure.

With a ten-year-old son (fathered by crooner D'Angelo) and a 23-year-old daughter, Stone decided to change her life, joining VH1's "Celebrity Fit Club" and starting on a journey of self-motivation.

She has dropped more than 40 pounds, just started a vegan diet and sports long straight hair versus her former curly locks.

Stone spoke with The Associated Press over the phone about her groove-filled album, new outlook on life, why the reality weight-loss television show "Celebrity Fit Club" disappointed her, and why she no longer puts up a "front."

How does it feel being on the Memphis-label Stax, with its history and your Southern roots? You also recorded at Marvin Gaye's old studio in LA.

It was an amazing experience. Marvin's room has magic all over it. Connecting with my original roots, having a Memphis producer from that whole Stax era, it was really a blessing. From the moment I walked in the studio, I was inspired. Knowing I was given the opportunity to work in that space, how can you go wrong?

Why did you leave J Records for Stax?

J Records actually led me to believe we were recording a regular album. Half way through the process, they said they wanted to do a greatest hits album (2005's "Stone Hits: The Very Best of Angie Stone") to save costs ... That was speaking volumes to what my future would be. A lot of people want to know if I was dropped (from J Records). I wasn't dropped, I asked for a release. ... Before they could do that to me, drop me, I said, "Why don't you release me and we can all be happy?" ... Stax came to me and offered me the opportunity to join, an amazing opportunity.

How was it working with soul great Betty Wright on "Baby"?

That was a blessing in itself. I was honoured, I was overwhelmed. She was actually in LA at the time I was recording the album. She walked in the room to hang out and see what I was doing. And the rest was history. It was honestly something that just happened.

Did you have high hopes when recording the album?

I went in with a whole different attitude. I had started over on a new label with a newfound team, so it would be special.

Any favourite tunes?

I really like "I'm Happy Being Me" (about dealing with her heart failure), because it speaks to a nation of people instead of a genre of people.

You were on TV's "Celebrity Fit Club" in 2006. Was that hard?

It was very difficult, because "Celebrity Fit Club" is a reality show. I found it to be very deceiving, and it kind of got in the way of my spirit. You never saw any of the races that I won, and they showed all this drama. I was a little disappointed with that. It's not a real reality, the show. ... I've gotten smaller since then.

How do you feel now, versus a year ago or a few years ago, given everything you've gone through?

I feel complete. I have a new love, a new album, a new outlook and a newfound joy. A few years ago, I was unhappy, depressed, not happy with the label's efforts to market me. I had to still manage to uplift my audience. I had a front up. I did what was expected, but I didn't enjoy doing it. ... Now I feel like I'm on my way to a happily ever after. I've been in the business since 1979. I've grudged and drudged. ... Now I can finally say I feel I've arrived and mean it.