edit - i didn't read where you wanted why. in that case i'll say midnight marauders. (i could also say doggystyle)

i prefer this album because it's kind of the natural child of The Low End Theory. The eclectic use of sampling is there, and the quality of the mixing is there, but i think because Tribe didn't re-invent the wheel with Midnight Marauders they had a chance to make the project more cohesive. i also like how the style of tracks vary amongst the ones on the album. there's quirky (Steve Biko), hip-hop-pop perfection (Award Tour), moody (Midnight), smooth (Electric Relaxation) and bangin' (God Lives Through).

i still listen to this record regularly and i've had it since it came out almost 20 years ago. it's as timeless of a hip-hop record as has been created.