A new artist spotted by Roberto Menescal, who invited him to record an album through his label Albatroz, Kiko Furtado made his CD Janela (2000) featuring compositions in partnership with Aldir Blanc and Abel Silva, among others.nn At 14, Furtado started to take keyboard classes with his grandmother. Strongly influenced by Ivan Lins, he soon started to do local bars. In 1993, he won two festivals, one in Ubá (Minas Gerais) and the other at the Mistura Fina club (Rio de Janeiro) at the Alternativa Musical. Moving to Rio in the next year, he recorded his first album, Kiko Furtado & Cia. Do Som, which was more like a demo. Furtado participated on a tribute album for Claudette Soares' 50-year career as an arranger and also sang "O Que É Amar" (Johnny Alf). Making contact with Menescal, he had his first break when he was invited by Menescal to perform in a tribute show to Nara Leão together with Kay Lira. Furtado was launched in a show at the Mistura Fina directed by MPB-4's Ruy Faria at the end of 1999. ~ Alvaro Neder