V/A – Speech After The Removal Of The Larynx – LP

Fantôme Phonographique

Fantôme Phonographique present a reissue of “Speech After The Removal Of The Larynx“, originally released by Smithsonian Folkways in 1964.

The larynx or voice box is a small organ located towards the top of the neck in humans and some other animals. Constructed largely of cartilage, it houses the vocal folds that allow for the manipulation of pitch and volume, which are essential for the phonation of spoken speech. It is also involved in bringing air to the lungs when you breathe and it protects the windpipe when you swallow. However, those unfortunate to experience the potentially fatal malignant tumors of laryngeal cancer will have their larynx removed, resulting in a traumatic loss of speech; thankfully, as this rare record issued by Smithsonian Folkways in 1964 demonstrates, removal of the larynx does not necessarily spell the end of speech for such blighted individuals.

“Speech After The Removal Of The Larynx“is definitely one of the strangest albums ever given a commercial release.