Shortly after the release of "World of Echo", Russell was diagnosed as HIV-positive. Though the disease caused throat cancer (forcing Russell to undergo chemotherapy), he remained prolific, working on voice-and-cello songs for an album to be released by Philip Glass's Point Music (some of which surfaced on the posthumous "Another Thought" in 1994) and an electronic pop album (influenced by the likes of 808 State and William Orbit and provisionally titled "1-800-Dinosaur") for Rough Trade Records. Much of the material intended for this project was included on 2004's "Calling Out of Context". Although Russell reportedly planned to submit the album in the summer of 1987, he continued tinkering with potential songs for another four years. According to Rough Trade founder Geoff Travis, "It was frustrating, but I knew he needed my support to keep financing his music."