"Are You Real" is a swinging Benny Golson composition from Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers' landmark 1958 album Moanin'. Set in a 36-bar ABAB' form in E-flat at approximately 214 bpm, the tune features Golson's characteristic blend of rhythmic sophistication and melodic warmth. Golson leads the solo section with a single chorus of robust tenor saxophone, his full-bodied tone and thoughtful phrasing reflecting his dual gifts as composer and improviser. Lee Morgan follows with a single trumpet chorus of youthful exuberance, his bright, piercing sound cutting through the rhythm section's driving accompaniment. Bobby Timmons contributes a single chorus of bluesy piano, and bassist Jymie Merritt closes the solo sequence with a well-constructed chorus after Blakey's extended drum feature. The brisk tempo and Golson's asymmetrical form challenge the soloists to think in longer phrases, and each musician rises to the occasion with distinctive statements. The track exemplifies the Jazz Messengers' ability to make sophisticated compositions swing with an earthy, direct appeal, a quality that set them apart from the more cerebral currents in late-1950s jazz. Blakey's propulsive drumming is the glue that holds the performance together.
