The following is a translation of RK's (Kawamura Ryuichi's) preface to Say a Little Prayer's second album, 11 Pieces, which he produced for them.

      Say a Little Prayer's second album has been completed. The title is "11 Pieces." It may seem like a mathamatical title, but in this world made up of 11 songs, it was my intention to enclose strongly my own personal feelings.

      I first met the three members of Say a Little Prayer -- Taguchi Rie, Ohkushi Erika, and Katagiri Hanako -- 2 years ago. If I were to say it nicely, they conveyed a pure and natural impression. But, if I were to speak in a negative sense, they made no really strong impression at all. At any rate, I wondered what would be the best way to produce them... The possibilities were endless.

      Lining everything up, I could let them swim freely. On the other hand, I could have them swim against the current and build their strength. Or else, I could bring someone good at swimming, ask him to teach them to swim, and thus urge them to grow...

      There was only one thing which really concerned me. That was that I didn't want to turn those three into robots that I could manipulate freely. So, I decided to have thorough talks with them. What values do you hold? What kind of life do you think you want to live? What kind of love do you want to experience? When answers were not forthcoming, I'd interrogate them over and over. This was because I thought that if they had no clear sense of values, they were no different from any other show biz personalities out there.

      Becoming like a traveler searching for their reality, I walked their streets.

      As we talked, we'd walk; as we walked, we'd talk. By repeating this, I'd create Say a Little Prayer's songs. These songs sometimes felt like they perfectly matched their everyday lives, and sometimes felt somewhat out of place. Conversely, songs which seemed to deal with subjects that challenged them also were produced. I'm sure that they'd smile, worry, and cry over the process of completing a song. And then, two years have passed since our meeting.

      To end the album, I left a song called Hana (Flower). Everything living on this Earth walks a single life. And I think that everyone causes a single small flower to bloom. But... what kind of flower would that be? And, when will it bloom? When put into words, it may seem terribly superficial, but... I believe that flowers bloom depending on wishes from the heart. In your own dreams, would you say that how much love you hold is important? Being truthful about your dreams requires great self-sacrifice. In order to gain something, you must lose something...

      "What kind of person do I really want to become?"

      This album is also a compilation of their past two years, and I think could also serve as a ticket to another new journey. How will those three change from here on as a result of this album's creation? What is each one throwing away, trying to gain something?

      I think I would like to watch that unfold from slightly afar.