[6] In an interview with Clash, Jarel stated that Craft of the Lost Art came out of a deep depression, saying, "I'd had a bad year and felt really low, like I was drowning, so I built the album around that.

"[7] The album featured guest appearances from MF Doom, Count Bass D, John Robinson, Stacy Epps, and Deborah Jordan.

"[1] Tom Smith of Cyclic Defrost said, "it's forward thinking, soulful, honest, hip hop that has been in high rotation around here for several weeks.

"[2] Jesse Serwer of XLR8R said, "SOBM flips a spaced-out jazzy aesthetic that at various points recalls Digable Planets, Antipop Consortium, and J Dilla.

"[3] Mosi Reeves of Spin said, "[Jneiro Jarel is] better off handing the mic to guest MCs Count Bass D, MF Doom, and Stacy Epps and focusing on his richly textured, next-level beats.