Compota de Manana

Forget about mañana, it's manana: a term used by rumberos in Cuba to define someone who plays with heart, sensitivity and authenticity; ingredients found in abundance in this fiery compote of Cuban timba laced with rap, rock and jazz flavours.

Compota de Manana was formed in Barcelona by percussionist, singer and tireless animateur, Erik Castillo, upon his return from a decade of music study in Cuba. He put a band together with fellow aficionados, pianist C.Pardo and singer Manuel Masaedo, that was soon filling up the local clubs. Their 2018 debut album, La Alternatimba, brought them to major festival and club stages across Europe. Compota de Manana is now more than a music group, it's an artistic aesthetic, highlighted in their themed video clips – mini-movies melding fun with high quality musicianship in groundbreaking style.

Biography

Compota de Manana is one of the most original and promising acts in the contemporary Latin music scene. With a distinctive style known as Alternatimba, the band blends Cuban timba with modern sounds, visual aesthetics, and a strong commitment to audiovisual storytelling. More than just a band, Compota de Manana is an artistic movement that integrates music, creativity, design, and visual language.

Their debut album, La Alternatimba (2018), quickly gained international attention. The group toured extensively across Spain and Europe, performing at renowned festivals such as Couleur Café, Say It Loud, and Toros y Salsa, and selling out iconic venues like Sala Apolo (Barcelona) and Café Berlín (Madrid). Their work was praised by international media, including Le Monde and El Periódico.

Following a two-year hiatus—during which Erik Castillo joined Nathy Peluso’s band and toured globally, playing major stages such as Coachella, WiZink Center, and Sónar—Compota de Manana resumed activity with new singles and high-profile collaborations featuring artists like Alexander Abreu, Original Elías, and Big Lois. Each release was accompanied by creative music videos produced with Lecuala Films.

In 2025, the group released Cuestión de Tiempo, a new album featuring 16 original tracks and guest appearances by legendary artists such as Mayito Rivera, El Niño y La Verdad, and Telmary Díaz. Entirely self-produced, the album was mixed by Orestes Águila and Javier Raez, and mastered in Miami by Latin Grammy winner Germán Landaeta.

With Cuestión de Tiempo, Compota de Manana consolidates a powerful musical and visual universe. Their project bridges tradition and innovation, rhythm and experimentation, remaining true to their transgressive essence and unwavering artistic vision.

Videos