While Steve Winwood’s commercial instincts were spot-on in the mid-80s with “Back in the High Life” and “Higher Love,” he’s never been a particularly commercial artist. His fans, following him from the R&B of the Spencer Davis Group through the mystical, progressive tailwinds of Traffic, have always cherished his impeccable soulful singing and his tasteful instrumental prowess. For 2008’s Nine Lives (his ninth solo album with nine songs), Winwood retreated to his home studio with a seasoned crew of musical veterans to fashion a smooth, relaxed, optimistic brew. The textures hint towards world music with Guyana born Richard Bailey on drums and Brazilian native Jose Pires de Almeida Neto on guitar. “Raging Sea” perfects Winwood’s laid-back funk with his Hammond B-3 easily breaking through the sparse mix. Eric Clapton guests with the album’s toughest sounding guitar solo for “Dirty City.” Primarily, however, Winwood isn’t looking to raise anyone’s blood pressure. The self-assuring sentiments of “Fly” and the shared search for fulfillment of the nightclub blues of  “We’re All Looking” reflect Winwood’s natural talent to find a silver lining even if it’s only in the unencumbered beauty of his own musical abilities.