While it’s normal for neo-traditionalist singers in many forms to become more mainstream as they go on, the new record by R&B up-and-comer Anthony Hamilton seems to be going the other way.

The Point of It All comes out Dec. 2, but of four tracks made available in advance, three show Hamilton in an even more organic, acoustic setting than the records he’s made his bones on — 2003’s Coming From Where I’m From and 2006’s Ain’t Nobody Worrying.

“Superman,” from the new record, is built on a rolling piano hook and a falsetto coda from Hamilton; “Feel Like Fallin’ in Love” has a thumping bass and ’70s soul strings; and “Prayin’ For You” could have come off the blues project Hamilton has been working on — it’s a three-chorder full of stomping, clapping and shouting, based on acoustic guitar and a flute hook.

The common denominator is Hamilton’s voice, which is still one of the traditional marvels of modern times — an equal mix of Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye and Bill Withers — as well as songwriting which feels fresh while showing off its roots at the same time.

Not that this was a conscious process, Hamilton says.

“I just went in and had some great musicians and good music, and started writing. There’s no real formula. Just get into the studio and whatever happens happens. . . . I didn’t have the mental space to say, ‘I want all acoustic’ or this or that.”

Which isn’t to say that he doesn’t know what he wants.

“I’m getting older; I’m getting more seasoned in it. And I’m working with the right musicians and everyone else all around me, so you start to settle in.”

So you know what you want? “I know exactly. And I know to try a little stuff mixed in.”

Like so many great R&B singers, Hamilton started singing in church, and he says that that upbringing gave him a baseline for his music and his life that not only made his success possible but made it worthwhile. “It gave you the foundation and the morals,” he says. “It’s very important. And my Christian faith, I think, is more important than the music.”

The former D’Angelo backup singer has had his share of career struggles, with two albums that went nowhere as the record companies that issued them fell apart under their feet, but he says the future looks bright these days. “I’m very happy with how things are going. And the people around me feel like they’re rewarded as well.”

And the silky soul that dominated AM radio in the ’70s and faded away in the ’80s and ’90s is coming back, with Hamilton one of the people leading the way.

“I don’t think it ever went anywhere,” he says; “they just never played it. They played it in the form of samples, but never the whole song. But everything comes around.”

Hamilton’s last appearance in the area was at the JVC Jazz Festival-Newport this summer. He remembers the appearance well, because he missed his flight and had to charter a helicopter from Manhattan in order to hit Newport on time.

Shades of Sinatra, right? Hamilton laughs: “I had to do it up big.”

Anthony Hamilton sings Tuesday night at Showcase Live! At Patriot Place, on the grounds of Gillette Stadium, in Foxboro. Tickets range from $25 to $45; call (888) 354-7042 or go to www.showcaselive.com.

rmassimo@projo.com