Having started in 1988 as a backing vocalist in small bands around São Paulo, Vange Milliet met samba-reggae exponent Luiz Vagner, who would be one of her influences. After developing work with then-journalist Chico César, Milliet joined in 1990 as a backing vocalist in Itamar Assumpção's bands Isca de Polícia and As Orquídeas until 1994, all the while recording two other albums with Assumpção. Her solo career started in 1994, backed by a band formed by Paulo Lepetit (bass), Chico César (guitar), and Renato Braz (percussion), replaced by Caíto Marcondes; the group was then joined by guitarist Luís Chagas. With them, Milliet recorded her first solo album, the CD Vange Milliet (1995), that betted on a repertory of new composers (among them, Chico César, Zeca Baleiro, and André Abujamra). Also, having special guests Lanny Gordin and Jards Macalé brought her work to the attention of the critics that, with favorable reviews, opened the way to Brazilian and European tours. ~ Alvaro Neder