While there’s never been any doubt regarding Matteo Sansonetto’s allegiance to the blues, he hasn’t been averse to change in recent years as his style continued to evolve. The Italian guitarist started out a dedicated acolyte of classic Chicago blues, Muddy Waters and Magic Slim among his avowed heroes along with B.B. King. These days, he’s grooving in a funkier, Stax-influenced bag. The abiding influence of Johnny “Guitar” Watson is prominent on this collection via revivals of Watson’s “I Want To Ta-Ta You Baby” and “A Real Mother For Ya.” You’ll also find sparkling remakes of classics by Albert King (“You Sure Drive A Hard Bargain”), Latimore (“Let’s Straighten It Out”), Lee Dorsey (“Get Out Of My Life, Woman”), and Little Milton (“That’s What Love Will Make You Do”). Matteo brings four well-conceived originals to this party as well. The end result is a stirring set spotlighting a young man who clearly means business whenever he straps on his axe and saunters into the vicinity of a mic. Sansonetto embarked on his personal music journey a decade-and-a-half ago. He cut his first album, Live at Jam Blues Point, in 2008, fully opening the floodgates as far as landing gigs at prestigious festivals and nightspots in his native Italy. During a sojourn to the Windy City the following year, Matteo met fellow blues countryman Breezy Rodio, a fortuitous development that led to Matteo’s band backing Breezy during Rodio’s first Italian tour. The excitement of Sansonetto’s blues revue in a concert setting was memorably captured on the DVD Live at the Entr’pot, recorded at one of France’s top blues rooms. Other fine performances were recorded during that same French tour that Sansonetto wanted to release as a CD, but he decided to return to Chicago to lay down a couple of fresh bonus tracks for the project with guest harpists Billy Branch and Omar Coleman. Issued as Going to Chicago, the CD racked up glowing reviews. My Life Began To Change was also recorded in Chicago, with Rodio installed at the production helm (he also handles rhythm guitar duties, soloing on “Hard Bargain”). A veritable all-star sideman team was recruited for three days’ worth of sessions, including keyboardist Roosevelt Purifoy, drummer Marty Binder, and trumpeter Art Davis. Eternally sizzling guitarist Lurrie Bell guests on Sansonetto’s self-penned “I Was Wrong,” while veteran Hammond B-3 specialist Chris Foreman dazzles on the title track, another impressive original. Yet Matteo’s stinging lead guitar work and confident vocals remain the primary focus throughout. “I consider myself first as a singer, then a guitarist, and finally a frontman /entertainer,” states Sansonetto. My Life Began To Change showcases all three facets of that distinctive musical attack in highly convincing fashion. --Bill Dahl