Amabutho is the 1973 debut release by the South African isicathamiya

Isicathamiya

Isicathamiya is a singing style that originated from the South African Zulus. In European understanding, a cappella is also used to describe this form of singing.-Background:...

 group Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a male choral group from South Africa that sings in the vocal styles of isicathamiya and mbube. They rose to worldwide prominence as a result of singing with Paul Simon on his album, Graceland and have won multiple awards, including three Grammy Awards...

, recorded for Gallo Record Company

Gallo Record Company

Gallo Record Company is the largest record label in Africa. It is based in Johannesburg, South Africa, and is owned by Avusa Limited . The current Gallo Record Company is a hybrid of two rival South African record labels between the '40s and '80s: the original Gallo Africa and G.R.C...

 (the group are still with the label today). Amabutho sold over 25,000 copies in South Africa, and was the first record by black musicians in the country to receive gold disc certification. Amabutho featured the hit single "Nomathemba", as well as other signature tunes such as "Nkosi Yamakhosi" (King of Kings) and "Awu, Wemadoda" (Hey, Man!) The LP was reissued on Gallo (in South Africa only) along with most of the group's early output, in February 2007.

Track listing

1. "Amabutho" (Warriors)
2. "Isigcino" (The End)
3. "Yadla Yabeletha" (It Eats Often)
4. "Awu, Wemadoda" (Hey, Man!)
5. "Mlaba"
6. "Ushaka" (King Shaka
   Shaka
   Shaka kaSenzangakhona , also known as Shaka Zulu , was the most influential leader of the Zulu Kingdom....
   
   )
7. "Nomathemba" (Hope)
8. "Nqonqotha Mfana" (The Boy Knocks)
9. "Utugela" (The Tugela River)
10. "Sivuya Sonke" (We Perform Everywhere)
11. "Nkosi Yamakhosi" (King of Kings/Lord of Lords)
12. "Ngelekelele"