The Insider.com

Shortly before Whitney Houston's February 11 passing, music producer Harvey Mason Jr. worked closely with the legend on her new album as well as a duet with Sparkle co-star Jordin Sparks, telling PEOPLE that Houston was "fun loving" in her final days.

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"She was excited, not overworked…We stood around and joked, listened to music," said Mason of his February 7 session with Whitney. "She got in the booth, started her vocal session with a prayer as she always did, and worked for about three to four hours. We ended the session dancing around the control room while she said 'Turn it up! Turn it up!' She was so fun-loving."

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Harvey was collaborating with Houston on her forthcoming album, Celebrate, which features a track with American Idol winner and Sparkle co-star Jordin Sparks. Although she and Whitney did not record the duet together, the late singer was amped to make the single one to remember, acting as a mother figure of sorts to Sparks so that Jordin had "enough time to shine on the song."

In these solo sessions, Mason describes Whitney as full of life, eager to wrap the new album and begin her extraordinary comeback. "She talked about Sparkle, Waiting to Exhale and working on her new solo record," says Mason. "And she was excited for Clive [Davis's] party."

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As for whether or not this recorded material will ever see the light of day, Harvey isn't sure, although he assures fans "she sounded really good."

Jordin has yet to comment publicly on Houston's passing.