Aced Out Podcast

If her life were a mathematical formula, it would be Family + Church = MUSIC. Indeed, Vet Stone (Vaetta Stewart-Reese) began making sweet soul sounds when she was a five-year-old girl standing on a table, singing with her parents and siblings—including big brother Sly. At church, she met lifelong friend and collaborator Tiny Mouton, with whom she performed on such hits as “You’re the One” with Little Sister and “Stand!” with Sly & the Family Stone, as well as classic albums like Fresh, Small Talk, and High on You.

Ms. Stone honored us with a visit, talking about recording a gospel album as a teenager with the Heavenly Tones, living and sleeping in the studio while working on Sly’s creations, and her memoir, Blood Is Thicker Than the Mud.

She also spoke about how Sly’s lyrics were often based on their mother’s own words of wisdom, why her brother Freddie is one of her favorite singers, and how good it feels to sing with her latest group Stone alongside her sister Rose, niece Lisa, and Tiny.

Through it all, Vet has always stayed true to herself. Her interview is a treasure to behold.

Amuka solidified her place in funk history with her recent appearance on Mike Judge’s animated doc series Tales from the Tour Bus, the George Clinton episode. Back in the day, her rock and roll chops earned her a spot in the Brides of Funkenstein, with whom she laid down the funk classic, Never Buy Texas from a Cowboy.

Amuka honored us with a call from her homebase of Detroit — testifying, laughing, and even singing her way through an in-depth, truth-telling interview about her life and music.

On top of telling us how the funk got done with George Clinton and Rob Dunbar for Brides, Ms. Amuka also shared stories about the ins and outs of working with Rick James and Public Enemy, as well as recording smash hits in Italy with Blackwood and her brilliant Mississippi EP (as Sheila Brody).

Nowadays, Amuka is still going strong, singing her heart out and overcoming any obstacles in her path. Our must-listen session with her is fun with a “k” and inspirational as all get out.

Through his tenure as bassist for Sly & the Family Stone, Rustee Allen has solidified his place in Funky Soul history, with standout work on such pivotal releases as Fresh and Small Talk, including his breakout performance on “In Time.”

Rustee honored us with his presence, sitting down for a deep dive into his career and discography, from back in the day to right about now.

In this must-listen interview, Mr. Allen raps about his days under the tutelage of Johnny Talbot, his work with/love for Sly, Freddie, Rose, and the rest of the Fam Stone, and what REALLY went down with the Sly tribute at the Grammy Awards.

Rustee also chops it up about working with George Clinton for his new album Simple Rules, touring and recording with Robin Trower, and laying tracks for the Temptations —not to mention hanging with Miles.