Intended as the companion to 2010’s Chamber Music Society, Esperanza Spalding’s latest release explores pop and its power on radio. For an artist whose credentials are questioned by various jazz cops, this is a rather frank way to tackle the question of “crossover.” If the previous album was uploaded by the mainstream through whatever mechanisms scan for likeable outliers, Radio Music Society takes more direct aim.

Among the many moving parts here welcome echoes of Minnie Ripperton and (I’m telling you) Sun Ra; adventurous songwriting; the continued evolution of Spalding’s bass style; a smartly chosen cover of Stevie Wonder’s “I Can’t Help It”; and a Banana Republic-commissioned ode to Portland. This isn’t the retail jazz of lesser talents, but a sophisticated investigation of likeability. She might’ve taken safer turns, say Neo-Soul or twee balladry; instead, we get 12 loosely unified tracks that, weak spots included, are radio-ready without sacrificing the originality of Spalding’s artistic voice.

It does not hurt to have Joe Lovano in your horn section, Jack DeJohnette, Terri Lyne Carrington, and Billy Hart as drummers, and Q-Tip involved in production on two tracks, performing on one. Interestingly, the strength of the musicians actually removes any traces of nostalgia, that lubricant for crossover. While this may prevent the album from real Starbucks breakthrough, it bodes well for followers of Spalding and the chances jazz might take in coming years.