Veteran songwriter and arranger Van Dyke Parks is planning a series of six self-released 7″ singles.

Parks, probably best known for contributing lyrics to Brian Wilson’s Smile and arranging for the likes of Joanna Newsom, Randy Newman and Laurie Anderson, as well as releasing ambitious solo works such as the classic Song Cycle, has specially commissioned cover art for each 7″ from Ed Ruscha, Art Spiegelman (Maus), Charles Ray, Frank Holmes (who did the original Smile sleeve design) and his wife, Sally Parks.

“I have plans to do six singles,” he tells Record Collector. “I do not have a coherent album in my head, I wish I did, but I don’t think that matters nowadays.”

The  first single in the series, ‘Dreaming Of Paris’, is out via Parks’ Bananastan label on May 16. In other Parks-related news, Smile is finally to receive an official release (having been approved by long disgruntled Beach Boy Mike Love) this year. More info on that soon.