The Gershwin estate is allowing the former Beach Boy access to the material for “collaborative” purposes, and the completed works will feature on a new solo album for which Wilson will also re-record well-known Gershwin songs.

Gershwin's catalogue of great tunes includes ‘Summertime’, ‘Someone to Watch Over Me’ and ‘Rhapsody in Blue’. Wilson says, "This is the most spiritual project I've ever worked on. I've always loved George Gershwin. The earliest music I remember hearing is Rhapsody in Blue. He had a gift for melody that nobody has ever equalled yet his music is timeless and always accessible."

This Gershwin album is part of Wilson's two album contract with Walt Disney Records.

No release date has been set.

The Hot Press Newsdesk